Mmusomaxwell is a ready-to-wear womenswear fashion brand based in Johannesburg, South Africa, founded in 2016 by Maxwell Boko and Mmuso Potsane. Boko and Potsane met as contestants on the TV show The Intern, run by designer David Tlale, where they competed to present at South Africa Fashion week. Mmusomaxwell are known for their tailored, minimalist designs, aimed at cosmopolitan working women. Through their work Boko and Potsane hope to challenge stereotypical views of Africa, noting ‘Our goal is to challenge that narrative and dismantle what African inspired fashion should be or look like. Even though our work is inspired by our heritage, we are still individuals living in a modern age, influenced by technology and science around us.’

This ensemble is from the Imbokodo collection, released for Spring/Summer 2021. Through this collection Boko and Potsane wanted to critique notions of a woman’s place in society, especially in traditional African cultures. The collection featured 27 pieces in a mixture of bold shapes and colours (mainly yellow, blue, red and black). Many of the designs drew on elements of a man’s suit, with the designers exploring power dressing, and the power suit, as a tool for female empowerment.

The ensemble compromises a blue skirt and top. The structured tailored top contrasts with the fluid bias-cut asymmetrical skirt playing on ideas of femininity and masculinity in the context of hard and soft fabrics. The top is embellished with a white trimming used to decorate Umbhaco, traditional Xhosa attire. The top and skirt are made from South African mohair which has been woven into a plain weave cloth. Mmusomaxwell partnered with 1838 Collective for Spring/Summer 2021. The Collective work with contemporary designers to promote the use of mohair locally. South Africa, in particular the Karoo region, is one of the largest producers of mohair in the world, however most of the raw material is exported rather than finished locally. This initiative is aimed at starting to change that, ultimately stimulating local employment opportunities by growing the mohair industry.