Latest news with #SiphosihleMasango
TimesLIVE
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Masango by Siphosihle to shine among SA's top influencers at the Hollywoodbets Durban July
Doromongy What comes to mind when you think 'Marvels of Mzansi' and how are you interpreting the theme this year? When I think of Marvels of Mzansi, I'm instantly drawn to the untold magic that lies beneath the surface of our everyday South African lives — the textures of our heritage, the rhythm of our languages, the landscapes that raised us. For me, the marvel isn't just in the obvious beauty, it's in the complexity of where we come from. That's why I chose to celebrate both the spiritual rootedness of my Sepedi ancestry and the mystique of Limpopo's natural wonders. My two looks for this year's Durban July are a deeply personal tribute to those stories: one grounded in the soil of my people, the other echoing the ancient caves that have held our histories in silence for centuries. What is the most exciting element about your outfit? The most exciting part is how nothing is purely decorative — everything has meaning. In my first look, every single macramé knot was crafted to represent memory and lineage. In the second look, the way the silk catches light feels almost other worldly; it's like I'm carrying the energy of those limestone chambers with me. Wearing something that tells a layered story,that honours where I come from while still feeling current and powerful — that's a thrill you can't replicate. What inspired your choice of outfit and designer for this year's Durban July? Siphosihle Masango has this rare ability to turn heritage into haute couture. I knew I wanted a designer who could honour my Sepedi background without reducing it to a surface-level reference. With MASANGO, we went deep — we talked about the reddish hues of Limpopo's earth, the dance movements of my childhood, the weight of silence inside Echo Caves. He didn't just design for me, he translated me into fabric, texture and silhouette. What are you most looking forward to at Durban July this year? I'm most excited for the moment when the crowd goes quiet — not because there's no sound, but because presence fills the space. It's that breath between footsteps when you're about to make an entrance, dressed not just in fashion but in memory, culture and intention. I'm looking forward to being seen as myself, through the lens of legacy, celebration and power. That's what Durban July allows — it creates a stage where our stories can walk unapologetically into the sun.
News24
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Get to know the prince of couture behind exquisite celeb designs
Sihle creates Ndebele-inspired extravagant designs for South African celebrities. His grandmother's beadwork lessons sparked his fashion journey. Masango plans to expand into exclusive ready-to-wear collections. ___________________________________________________ Siphosihle 'Sihle' Masango's designs exude an air of daring indulgence fit for a queen, and he puts his all into every stitch, sequin and ruffle of tulle. Under his eponymous fashion label Masango by Siphosihle, the Soshanguve, Tshwane native incorporates his love for his Ndebele culture and transforms his designs into extravagant garments. Just take Entangled actor Phuthi Khomo-Mahlangu's divine black mermaid dress gown dripping with accented jewels she donned for the 2024 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) ahead of her nomination for Best Actress in a TV Comedy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Masango (@sihle_the_designer) READ MORE | Fashion Diaries | Inside Sandile Mahlangu's phenomenal style On the red carpet, Phuthi let us in on how she and Sihle opted for a look of old glamour and a 'retro feel' to capture the essence of her prestigious moment. 'I think every time I deal with Phuthi, she's just a Breakfast at Tiffany's type of girl; that is her personality and I'm here for it! So, I was like Marilyn Monroe who's going to the SAFTAs. You're an actor, so channel old Hollywood glamour but that looks like the African context because Africans are more, right? We don't do anything minimalist. Diamonds are a girl's best friend, and you are black, you want all the diamonds!' Sihle and his team are intentional about knowing their clients' full story and transforming it into the sharp silhouettes and architecturally designed couture that Masango by Siphosihle offers. Mzansi has also seen this brought to life with DJ and media personality Lamiez Holworthy-Morule's Durban July gowns over the past two years. She entrusted Sihle – who she's been friends with since high school – with bringing to life the enchanting themes 'Out of this World' and 'Ride the Wave'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by | Photo & Video | JHB ✈️ (@ READ MORE | Africa's Dandy legacy - From migrant workers to Sunday best Love for beads Sihle's journey in fashion didn't begin with designing bejewelled diamonds for South Africa's elite from the jump. The 30-year-old went from learning beadwork under the guidance of his grandmother as one of 11 grandchildren to starring on Project Runway South Africa, interning under famed designer David Tlale, and showcasing his work at glamorous events like AFI Fashion Week and Cape Town Met. 'My grandmother was a typical Ndebele woman,' Sihle shares. 'She followed the sun in the morning. She got up, put on her tjale (blanket), sat down, and did her beadwork. And so, when all the other children played in the streets, I sat with her, and we made Ndebele dolls and jewellery. That is where my love for beading comes from – sitting with her, following the sun around the house.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lamiez Holworthy-Morule (@lamiez_holworthy) Morphing into self Masango by Siphosihle designs feature references to the old and new, with Sihle opting for 'maximus' designs filled with colour over the growing trend of minimalism. He reveals how his Ndebele culture is a 'huge influence' on his work, evident through his bold red designs reminiscent of one of his clan names, Olubomvu. Interestingly, Sihle's creative passion initially urged him to follow the path of a visual artist, but the tortured life-famed artists usually leading that transformation into telling pieces of art wasn't necessarily landing in Sihle's artwork during his school years. 'The work was not landing! As an artist, you're supposed to depict pain, and that is celebrated and critically acclaimed; all of that struggle, but I grew up privileged. I grew up in a nice home, so I didn't struggle. All of my teachers kept saying, 'Your work is very pretty, it's gorgeous, it's happy'. One teacher said to me one day, 'Your work is very fashionable; of beautiful women. Explore it'.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lamiez Holworthy-Morule (@lamiez_holworthy) The break through Interning under David is a moment that Sihle views as his breakthrough in the world of fashion, albeit only in hindsight. At the time, Sihle only saw David's famed harshness and critique, but since then, he has learnt to understand that he was grooming him to become who he is today. 'I know business strategy because of that man … He had a way of taking the staff and dividing and conquering them. The staff cannot be friends, and you must lead them. So, you create division among them, so they stay loyal to the path of where the business is going, and I implement that manipulation in my business all the time. The moment they start influencing each other and developing this, they start losing focus on the vision.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Masango (@sihle_the_designer) All things special Sihle has taken all of his teachings and learnings and turned them into a lucrative and successful fashion label that he hopes to extend into ready-to-wear collections.
