SCALO to Debut Safari-Inspired Collection at Cape Town Fashion Week
The fashion world is waiting in anticipation for what will unfold at Cape Town Fashion Week: The Edit SS24 on Saturday, 30 November 2024, at the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse.
This season, the spotlight shines brightly on one of the showcasing designers, Sello Medupe, the visionary behind the South African haute couture brand, SCALO by Sello Medupe.
Known for dressing some of South Africa’s leading stars, including his muse Blue Mbombo, who memorably closed his show at Joburg Fashion Week last season, Sello is ready to make waves in the South African Collective Fashion Show at The Edit SS24.
This season is particularly special as it’s the brand’s 10th year showcasing at an AFI Fashion Week.
We caught up with Sello to get a sneak peek into his thought process this season.
The SCALO brand is synonymous with opulence, drama, and innovation—qualities that have cemented its place as a favourite among South Africa’s A-list celebrities.
Blue Mbombo in SCALO at Joburg Fashion Week 2023
The journey to becoming one of South Africa’s leading designers started with a simple sketch in a magazine. “I saw it and fell in love with fashion,” Sello reflects. This spark evolved into a career built on craftsmanship, confidence, and an ability to make people feel extraordinary in his designs.
Reflecting on his 10th showcase at Fashion Week, Sello shares, “Every year feels like the first time. My mind goes crazy during Fashion Week. The process of designing excites me endlessly—it’s about pushing creative boundaries.”
SCALO by Sello Medupe will be one of the brands showcasing at Cape Town Fashion Week: The Edit SS24 on 30 November 2024.
For Cape Town Fashion Week: The Edit SS24, Sello teases a collection deeply influenced by safari aesthetics, promising earthy tones, textured fabrics, and silhouettes that capture the untamed spirit of the wilderness. While keeping specific details under wraps, he assures fans that SCALO's signature elegance and artistry will shine through.
“My approach to this collection was about merging South African heritage with futuristic sophistication. It’s all about taking inspiration from nature and translating it into haute couture.”
SCALO Cape Town Fashion Week 2020
As any artist knows, music fuels creativity, and for Sello, it’s the unmistakable beats of amapiano that keep him going in the studio. “It gets me hyped up and ready to create,” he says, laughing.
When discussing collaborations, Sello’s pick of his dream collaborator is not surprising. “David Tlale is someone I’d love to work with. We need to cook up something fire. I know it would be an explosion of creativity!”
For Sello, fashion is deeply personal. “It’s always about how the garment makes someone feel when they wear it—that’s what SCALO stands for. Confidence, power, and elegance.”
We couldn’t resist testing Sello’s quick takes on fashion trends:
- Kiss, Marry, Avoid?
- Kiss: Hot pants
- Marry: Bubble skirts
- Avoid: Midi skirts
-
A Trend You Wish Would Come Back?
Disco-inspired fashion—bold, bright, and daring. -
A Trend You Hope Never Returns?
Denim-on-Denim. - Design Rules You Swear By and Break?
- Always follow: Fit.
- Love to break: The boundaries of detail—fashion should surprise!
Be sure to catch the South African Collective Fashion Show at Cape Town Fashion Week: The Edit SS24 and witness the artistry of SCALO by Sello Medupe—a celebration of African excellence.