Laduma Ngxokolo

Last updated
Laduma Ngxokolo
Born
Laduma Ngxokolo

(1986-12-15) 15 December 1986 (age 39)
Education
Occupations
  • Fashion designer
  • businessman
Years active2010–present
Known for MaXhosa

Laduma Ngxokolo (born 15 December 1986) is a South African fashion designer and businessman. He is best known for his luxury clothing brand MaXhosa.

Contents

Early life

In 2016, he earned a scholarship to Central Saint Martins in London, completing a master's degree in Material Futures. [1]

Career

Ngxokolo began his fashion career in 2010 when his The Colourful World of the Xhosa Culture collection won the international Society of Dyers and Colourists design competition in London. [2] He officially launched MaXhosa by Laduma in 2010, initially focusing on menswear before expanding into womenswear in 2014. [3] [4] [5] In 2014, he won an awards for Vogue Italia at Pilazzo Morando show. [6] In 2019, he acquired a Johannesburg based knitting factory to localize production and began showcasing at major events like New York Fashion Week in 2020. [7] [8]

Ngxokolo's global profile rose significantly in 2024 when he opened a flagship store in Manhattan and made his debut on the official Paris Fashion Week calendar with the collection "My Conviction". [9] [10] [11] [12] His business had diversified through collaborations with Mercedes Benz, evolving from a knitwear label into a comprehensive lifestyle brand. [13] [14] He went to Paris for his third and fourth seasons, presenting the "Umbulelo" and "Lo Ngu Mbulelo" collections, which celebrated 15 years of his design journey. [15] [16] [17]

References

  1. Ndlangisa, Amanda (2016-09-26). "Things you didn't know about Laduma Ngxokolo". News24. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  2. Maduna, Taurai (2014-08-11). "The fashion designer taking his Xhosa heritage global". BBC News. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  3. Benissan, Ezreen (2022-11-04). "After breaking out abroad, Maxhosa Africa wants to be the leading luxury brand at home". Vogue. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  4. "'Why I decided to call my brand MaXhosa'". The Mail & Guardian. 2019-05-10. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  5. Peter, Dennis Ade (2024-03-04). "MaXhosa Africa Makes Its Mark With Paris Fashion Week Debut | OkayAfrica". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  6. Ndlangisa, Amanda (2017-09-06). "5 things you didn't know about Laduma Ngxokolo". News24. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  7. Jadezweni, Afika (2020-08-18). "Laduma Ngxokolo imagined a MAXHOSA galaxy for the Spring/Summer '21 show at New York Fashion Week". News24. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  8. "Laduma 'MaXhosa' Ngxokolo to assist emerging designers". The Herald. 2019-09-11. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  9. Levin, Jennifer (2024-01-18). "Grand opening extravaganza: Laduma Ngxokolo's MaXhosa boutique debuts in NYC with 3-day celebration". News24. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  10. Mamaila, Mzwandile (2024-01-05). "MaXhosa Africa opens a new store in New York City". News24. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  11. Su, Jen (2024-06-15). "MaXhosa style for New York's elite". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  12. Khulu, Ntombi (2025-03-05). "MaXhosa Africa's customer-inspired collection to dazzle Paris Fashion Week". News24. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  13. Mazibuko, Thobile (2024-04-15). "Laduma Ngxokolo of Maxhosa Africa partners with luxury car brand". IOL. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  14. Nkosi, Mapula (2024-03-17). "Maxhosa label founder Laduma Ngxokolo speaks on Soho store debut in New York". News24. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  15. Tiwane, Bonginkosi (2025-10-07). "Maxhosa Africa showcases at Paris Fashion Week as founder wins in SA Fashion Awards". The Citizen. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  16. Isaac-Goizé, Tina (2025-10-05). "Maxhosa Spring 2026 Ready-to-Wear Collection". Vogue. Retrieved 2026-01-26.
  17. Su, Jen (2025-10-06). "'Beauty and culture' MaXhosa Africa stuns Paris Fashion Week with ancestral tribute". News24. Retrieved 2026-01-26.