The South African designer Sindiso Khumalo, whose namesake line is known for its curve-flattering pieces and inclusive sizing, just launched a cute eco-friendly summer collection with the Swedish brand & Other Stories. Working with organic cotton, recycled cotton and linen, Khumalo personalizes each textile with sketches, watercolors and abstract cut-outs. She also often injects bits of her African heritage in every collection.
“As an African designer, what truly matters to me is designing clothing that can highlight my African heritage and history and bring it to light in a contemporary setting. I like to bring cultural elements that represent who I am into textiles,” explains Khumalo. “They become visual vignettes that frame our collections. The starting point for the co-lab collection was working with materials that were sourced in a more sustainable way. It’s essential for me to use more sustainable materials and to create garments that are going to be long-lasting.”
The collaboration is filled with vibrant colors and prints that express the brand’s cultural and natural landscape. From the ruffled dresses to the playful swimwear and personal jewelry, the collection is filled with great items for you and your bestie.
Below, Khumalo shares her design process and what brought about the collaboration with & Other Stories.
EBONY: What makes you want to work with the textiles by hand?
Sindiso Khumalo: I adore the craft element and the hands-on creative part of the artwork process. I love the rich, natural results given by processes such as screen printing. I am always a textile designer and love how textiles can exist in fashion form, living with the person who wears them.
What brought about the collaboration with & Other Stories?
It was about two years ago when I received an email from the & Other Stories team asking whether I would consider working with them to create a co-lab collection. I was so flattered! I adore & Other Stories and would walk past the store on Regent Street all the time when I was living in London.
It was all virtual in the beginning, because of COVID-19 restrictions, but then I finally got to travel and meet with the design team in the Stockholm Atelier last June. It was very natural working together with such a positive, creative, and collaborative team. Every decision was collaborative, no matter how big or small. And I loved going through the vast fabric library.
How did you know & Other Stories was the right brand to collaborate with?
We share the same values. I really admire their design and the support they provide female entrepreneurs and designers. And both of our brands recognize the pressures faced by our planet. It’s all about being thoughtful and considerate, and creating clothing with intent. I want to make clothes that move beyond seasons and trends; clothing people feel they can hang onto for the rest of their lives.
