Designer Thebe Magugu to custom make his classic Heirloom Shirt for customers | The Citizen

Designer Thebe Magugu is offering to custom make his classic Heirloom Shirt for consumers who would like to have their loved ones imprinted on the blouse – a design that has been a trademark to the Thebe Magugu brand.

“I think so many times figures in history are often imposed onto us. I love this idea of giving people back that power to choose who their own important people are in their history,” said Magugu in a short film.

A few seasons ago the world renowned designer made the African Wax print blouse that had images of his family all over it. How he included the narration of his family history through apparel caught the attention of the fashion world.

African Wax prints are synonymous with carrying important figures in history.

Magugu was last week presented with the prestigious Franca Sozzani Award for his work in cultural preservation through fashion by Fashion4Development during the United Nations General Assembly Week in New York.

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Preserving history

“At Thebe Magugu, we believe in preservation. I love the idea of wearing one’s heart on the sleeve, and this project does that in a way that is both physical and symbolic,” said Magugu in a statement.

“You can choose to honour and memorialise anyone who has left an impact on you – living or transitioned, blood or chosen.”

Customers can a pre-order the shirt from 6 – 22 October on the brand’s website where they can upload an image of someone dear to them which Magugu will use to create a custom wax print exclusively for them, to be delivered from the 10th of December worldwide.

It’s unclear how much the customized shirts will go for, but the ones with some of Magugu’s family are priced at R6,500 a piece on his website.

The shirts will be available to both men and women; will have three colour ways to choose from: Sky Blue, Candy Pink & Lime Green.  The Heirloom Shirts will also enjoy a size curve of Extra Small to Double Extra Large.

In the short film shared on his social media, Magugu is shown wearing a shirt with an image of his late grandmother Matiego Magugu, who is depicted on the shirt praying.

“Wearing it makes me feel protected and watched over by her, and I hope people choose subjects based off of emotional connection, because that is a function of a charm – a physical part representing a metaphysical whole”

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