It’s no secret that Team South Africa’s outfit debut during the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony saw an assortment of opinions regarding the ‘Safari chic’ meets veldskoene ‘aesthetic’.
Read Also: Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony – the SA flag, the pride, veldskoene and safari chic
But who were the designers and what did they have to say about their creation?
The square of designers consisted of Mbali Zulu, Nompumelelo Mjadu, Sandile Sikhakhane and Sipho Lushaba, who were commissioned by the Durban Fashion Fair to create a look that would represent our country in apparel at one of the world’s most prestigious events.
The Team SA #OpeningCeremony kit, proudly designed by @Dbnfashion_fair creatives Mbali Zulu, Nompumelelo Mjadu, Sandile Sikhakhane and Sipho Lushaba.
They must be so proud to have showcased their work on the global stage ??#Tokyo2020 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/ILjQ9SPYhH
— Team South Africa (@TeamSA2020) July 23, 2021
But the young designers faced backlash.
What were yall thinking walking up in that stadium looking like that?embarrassing us
— Barbiana (@Buciemkhize1) July 23, 2021
Famous SA personality and beloved idols judge, Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung even went as far as to sing a Lion King verse that followed an expression of a lack of understanding for what they made us wear.
However, Nompumelelo Mjadu, one of the design team members has explained, as per eNCA, where the inspiration for the zebra-patterned meet-you-at-the-safari outfit came from.
I think young unknown designers deserve an opportunity too. Here is story of how Nompumelelo Mjadu came up with designs for the SA Olympics team pic.twitter.com/gVPxG2NAiT
— INGA GUBEKA (@ingagubeka) July 24, 2021
So what we now know is that Madiba’s iconic button-down shirt style was also an influence, and that the Big-5 print was meant to be all-encompassing, as they make SA stand out from the rest of the world according to Mjadu.
Many people also had a problem with the veldskoene, expressing that we could’ve used Bathu or Drip sneakers, which are both proudly South African.
In my opinion, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Ashleigh Nefdt, what could’ve been fire would’ve been to remix a design of the NMD (Nomad) HU “Clear Aqua” sneaker, AKA the Xhosa inspired sneaker that wasn’t available in SA. A remix on that shoe, produced by local artists could’ve sent a powerful message that we embrace our cultures and want them to be celebrated in SA, not just capitalised on in the rest of the world.
Read Also:The Xhosa sneaker based on a South African culture, but not sold to South Africa?
As for comparisons to other African countries, Kenya seemed to be a popular look.
Kenya’s 2021 Olympics Team! pic.twitter.com/1oWZryPKEp
— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) July 24, 2021
Now that’s what we call entering in style and their dominant race ratio
??♂️??♂️??
TEAM Kenya in cultural outfits at the Olympics 2021 opening ceremony! ??❤️
UNLIKE #TeamSA EUROPEAN TEAM
#FamilyMeeting SA Sign the Petition #Olympics pic.twitter.com/dwQi8PjlwE
— #SandileSeadimo ?? (@SandileSeadimo) July 24, 2021
Tokyo Olympics Teams Outfit comparison. Who’s your fighter South Africa, USA, KENYA or Italy? ??? pic.twitter.com/FJV5f4zcyG
— Mthandeni Nene (@MthandeniNene) July 23, 2021
People also pondered why the designers were not high fashion based (Italy used Armani designers for example) but high-fashion doesn’t always equate to a successful look. At the very least, young and unknown designers got a chance to showcase their work.
One look shouldn’t define them either, as they have repositories of diverse work.
Still looking back at what our young designers did at the December 2020 DFF Showcase & Awards show. Just exceptional work proving they’re worthy of the stars. Look out for more work from them soon. DESIGNER: Sipho Lushaba ?: sdrphoto #dff2021 #fashiondevelopment #supportlocal pic.twitter.com/2rvRShmMLU
— DBN Fashion Fair (@Dbnfashion_fair) March 17, 2021
Picture: Twitter