Heritage meets intention

FASHION FOR CHANGE: FOSCHINI'S CENTENARY, RICH MNISI'S DECADE OF DESIGN CONVERGE

- Citizen reporter

When a century of heritage meets a decade of reinvention, something extraordinary takes shape. Next Thursday Foschini and RICH MNISI will host a charity auction in partnership with Strauss & Co, where one-of-one pieces will become instruments of change.

This collaboration marks the intersection of two South African milestones: Foschini's centenary year and RICH MNISI's 10-year anniversary.

Their joint retail capsule collection, launched earlier this month, now evolves into a gesture of purpose, upholding Foschini's Force For Good initiative.

While the retail capsule is titled Foschini x RICH MNISI, the 15-piece auction collection is presented as RICH MNISI x Foschini. The distinction matters, as the former reimagines RICH MNISI prints through Foschini's most-loved silhouettes, while the latter is designed entirely by Rich Mnisi himself.

Together, this two-part collaboration reflects dual forms of access for women: the retail capsule brings a touch of luxury to the everyday customer, while the auction proceeds support access to period care.

One hundred percent of all proceeds will support Move Africa, a nonprofit tackling period poverty across South Africa.

For every bid, a girl gains access to menstrual care and dignity a small act with generational reach.

The story behind the collection

When Mnisi began designing the collection, he was guided by what he calls “the feeling of nostalgia”.

He thought of his grandmother navigating Sophiatown’s streets. Of pleats and blouses. Of silks and prints.

The colour palette oscillates between earth tones and arresting brights.

“When people see clashing colours, they can distance themselves from nature,” he says. “But if you take a walk, this is all you're experiencing. It's a reminder of being grounded.”

Yet nostalgia is only part of the equation.