Thursday 25 August 2022

Thebe Magugu remains humble despite stardom in fashion

Anna Wintour, known as the pope of the fashion world, has turned thousands of designers into superstars by giving them her stamp of approval in American Vogue magazine.

There is only one SA designer who has her ready on speed dial and his name is Thebe Magugu.


Working through the maze that is the Adidas store in Sandton City, I meet the soft spoken designer in the heart of it all. 

Celebrating the work of his first collaboration with the sportswear giant, we catch up on life, career and more.

"My 16-year-old self manifested so hard and I'm riding so hard on the coattails of that manifestation," he says.

And what are these accolades? For one he is the first African recipient of the LVMH Prize judged by the likes of Marc Jacobs and Dior's Kim Jones as well as the International Fashion Showcase at London Fashion Week. 

Today he will reveal his collaboration with Pier Paolo Piccioli, the current designer behind high-end brand Valentino, debuting in the September issue of American Vogue.