REVIEW: K. Moraba & Collective at Cape Town Fashion Week
Keletso Moraba presents K. Moraba & Collective’s latest collection at Cape Town Fashion Week
K. Moraba & Collective brings a balance of wistful, feminine silhouettes and bold, contemporary suiting during their Cape Town Fashion Week showcase
Against an easy-going soft-house soundtrack, with models sauntering down the runway, K. Moraba & Collective’s city-slick AW2023 collection brought Johannesburg to Cape Town.
Founded by “The Intern” alum Keletso Moraba, K. Moraba & Collective caters to high-end consumers, but its grounded, contemporary feel places it definitively in Joburg. Following Chiip O Neal’s unconventional crops and layering, K. Moraba & Collective brought something classic and quotidian to close off the first night of fashion week.
Offering a balance of wistful, feminine silhouettes and bold, contemporary suiting, K Moraba & Collective is a celebration of African urbanity, dressing the fast-moving Joburg native with an enviable social calendar. The Burgersfort-native designer describes his work as "dreamy elegance, reflective of Africa”, exploring ethical production methods.
Rarely diverging from white and a rich shade of ochre, the collection saw Moraba apply a looser, more playful approach to suiting and tailoring than his counterparts, using shirting fabrics to create oversized, mobility-friendly two-piece ensembles, and the uniformity of colour to create a dynamic synergy between garments.
Standout ensembles included a slightly oversized ochre suit with wide-legged pants, as well as a peasant-sleeved shirtdress in a blue, black and white check print. With two large pockets on either side of the chest, and a large bow gracing the collar, the unique silhouette of the dress gave workwear an untraditional, girly twist.
K. Moraba & Collective gave an excellent showing at Cape Town Fashion Week 2023, bringing a contemporary sophistication that effortlessly evoked memories of Johannesburg – the epicentre of Moraba’s “dreamy” African elegance.