Laduma for Chivas Regal

This is not the 1st time that I have written about the talented Laduma Ngxokolo. This time, it involves something refined and more 'upper class' and well, quite frankly it is paired really well with Laduma Ngxokolo. 

Chivas Regal 18YO that is.

From the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University to the runways across the world like London and Paris, the 2014 Emerging Creative of the Design Indaba, Laduma Ngxokolo's talents have opened so many doors for him. MaXhosa by Laduma, which is the Xhosa inspired fashion label created by Laduma, some of which I can proudly say that I have in my closet, has helped give his unique culture a bit of international spotlight.

The idea started after learning his trade from his late mother when she taught him to hand machine knit at the age of 16, and I do believe he never knew what this skill would bring to him in the many forms of success. "I specialised in Xhosa knitwear," Laduma says. "My culture and heritage are immeasurably valuable to me, so I wanted to create something suitable for the amakrwala (Xhosa initiates) to wear, but which was also contemporary and stylish." Materials are all locally sources from his home in the Eastern Cape and using a blend of 80% wool and 20% mohair, he creates luxurious products of a premium quality.

So in years gone by, Alexander McQueen, Ashish N Soni & Vivienne Westwood have all designed for the famous Scotch Whisky Chivas Regal. Now the time has come and the 1st African to work and design with Chivas Regal is Laduma Ngxokolo. Being so impressed with Laduma's dedication to winning the 'right way' and achieving such success through integrity, Chivas Regal approached him to create and design a limited edition packaging for the 18 Year Old Scotch Whisky,

The design is strikingly and unapologetically South African. Golden X's rest on a vivid blue background, which communicate Ngxokolo's brand. "The X motif, is very meaningful to me," he shares. "I love the distinctive Xhosa sound. It's also interpreted from traditional Xhosa beadwork, dating back to the late 19th century, which I've translated into a more modern design."

These limited edition packs will be available in selected stores for purchase as from March 2016.

When asked why he thinks that his design style complements the Chivas Regal brand so well, Laduma has this to say, "I try to create 'slow fashion'; pieces that are investments due to their obvious quality, craftmanship and exceptionality. Chivas Regal Whisky is the same - a premium taste, soft and unique, that is meant to be savoured." Now that is a serious good answer if I have to say so! And when you look at his items of clothing, you will just know that it is very true.

For example, there is this shawl (I am sure that if you are reading this, you will know exactly what shawl) that he had designed and it actually won the title of the Most Beautiful Object in South Africa at the Design Indaba this year. (As voted for by the public.) This just goes to show how well paired Laduma Ngxokolo and Chivas Regal 18YO Scotch Whisky are.

A very striking Chivas Regal Counter at the Design Indaba 2016.

The 1st time I had seen or even heard of Laduma Ngxokolo, was at #MBFWJ a few years back. And it was that night that I had witnessed his #AW range take to the runway. Upon the final walkabout, the crowd rose to their feet and Laduma Ngxokolo was cheered on with a standing ovation. Little to my knowledge, did I know that a few months later, I would have the privilege to meet and have one on one time with Laduma himself on a trip to Cape Town about 2 years ago.

We spent the day together and I had a tour around the factory where all his materials are made and we spoke about his journey and how has grown and what his aspirations are for the future. Well, lets just say that this man sure had VERY big dreams and VERY big aspirations. And you know what? He has actually achieved them! No wait. He has actually gone beyond his dreams and aspirations and I will always be one of his biggest supporters and will always be watching his progress into the international fashion world with a close eye.

Connect on Social Media:

@ChivasRegalSA

@LadumaNgxokolo

@MaXhosaKnitwear

#RussianBearSA Weekend away with Laduma Ngxokolo in Pictures...

#RussianBearSA weekend away with Laduma Ngxokolo and #MaXhosa

Off to OR Tambo International Airport to catch the flight down to Cape Town for the weekend.

I still believe that the best way to start any busy weekend is with a Vida e Caffè Double Espresso Con Panna and a 70% Cocoa choc...

The best seat in the house I rate... Emergency Seat Aisle... They have extra legroom! 

And boarding first makes the whole process so much better too.

Perfect... I have all the seats next to me open! 

A Menu that changes daily would keep me coming back for more! 

The only way to enjoy a Dinner in Cape Town is a Dinner with Wine... (Wait... Make that any meal! One needs wine with every meal!) 

Duck Breasts served with a Plum Sauce and Pears...

Green Thai Coconut Chicken served with Thai Noodles...

Lemon Tart served with a Gooseberry Purée...

Just love Hotel living... Fresh Sheets and the Best Pillows!

Some TV before I hit the bed before the big day! 

But 1st... Lemme take a Selfie! 

The Famous Double Tree by Hilton Cookie... 

The View...

More of The View... 

Through the looking glass...

Style and Comfort in the Lobby of the Double Tree by Hilton

The Reception...

Double Tree by Hilton Reception

Im now a resident of the Upper East Side...

Waiting for Mzo to arrive with the cab...

Living in the Upper East Side y'all...

Breakfast at The Bromwell...

Naturally one must pose for a quick pic...

First Meeting with Laduma Ngxokolo 

#Heaven

Laduma picking up pieces in town...

It was actually a beautiful day out...

Table Mountain...

MAXHOSA by Laduma 

Laduma and I in the assembly and packaging factory...

This is where the magic takes place! 

Impromptu snood... (Thats actually a skirt...)

A quick interview with Laduma for @RussianBearSA

Interview time... 

Prepping for the Interview...

RUSSIAN BEAR. LADUMA NGXOKOLO. CAPE TOWN. 

NEXT LEVEL...

So a few weeks ago I was sitting at work when Russian Bear South Africa followed me on twitter. 

I followed back.

So they then post this link to their facebook page that they are running with Laduma Ngxokolo to win a prize worth R26,000.00 inclusive of flights, accommodation, a limited edition bottle of Russian Bear Vodka and a custom design outfit. And being the competition freak that I am, I decided to enter this competition and all you had to do was comment on a status...

And so I did.

A week or so later, I get this DM from @RussianBearSA on twitter asking me to send my details through to them. At first I didn't think much of this. Only later when I got the phone call from a Platinum Seed representative informing me that I had won the competition with Laduma. Instantaneously my crappy week at work changed into the best second of my life. I was shocked and excited and just all around dazed out by the idea that I would be getting to spend time with them designer and that I would get a look at the behind the scenes look at how Laduma goes about to get a design completed and perfect. 

Flights booked...
Accommodation booked...
Bags packed...
I was headed out to Cape Town! 

So on the Friday after work, there I go off to the airport. (Already checked in online with the handy British Airways App for iPhone and boarding pass issued - just had to drop my luggage. What a pleasure!) A quick word on the flight... Always book seats at the emergency exits. You have extra leg room! 

At the airport, the chauffeur from the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel was already waiting for me to whisk me off to the hotel. Really, a lap of luxury! Had some dinner at the hotel restaurant - Liberty's. (Definitely try the Coconut Chicken and the Lemon Tart.) 

I had an early start when my body clock decided to wake me up at 6AM. So I took some time to get ready for the exciting day that lay ahead. The representative, Mzo Ntuli, picked me up. On the ride to breakfast he gave me a unique and limited edition bottle of Russian Bear Vodka, of which there are only 200 bottles. That is pretty cool and the bottle is really something pleasing on the eye. So off we went to the The Bromwell Boutique Mall for breakfast at Bread and the first meeting with the designer himself.

It was here that I learnt that I would actually be collaborating with the designer to create a complete custom design outfit just for me. And to add to the awesomeness of the entire prize, this is the first custom design piece that Laduma will have ever done for anyone. And that I will be able to call that outfit mine. Laduma arrived shortly thereafter and we instantly clicked and much to Mzo's "disapproval" started chatting about fashion and the industry and the influences of fashion in our lives, as he was wanting us to discuss all of this whilst the videographer was with us, to catch us in the moment of discussions for the video clip that they would be posting online. I mentioned to Laduma that I had actually seen his current collection MaXhosa at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Johannesburg earlier this year and since then I had been fascinated with his knitwear range. We had a good chat about what the day would entail and how things would run from here on out.

Before we knew it, we were off to the studio to get started on the designs. It was here that we met the videographer for the day that would be capturing every moment on film. And let me just comment on this. It's not that easy to have an interview on camera that you know will be broadcast on social media. I was seriously very nervous, but I loved every moment of this! But the interview and all the formalities sort of went down rather quick and without a hitch! (Yay me!) 

Laduma walked us through each step of the process, from the designing to the actual knitwear materials coming out of the knitting machines. Personally I had never known that this was such an intense process and that there was this much work that goes into knitwear. We watched how the pieces are assembled, quality checked and then finally packaged ready to be sent off to the clients. 

Now it was time for my personal consultation with Laduma. I did not know exactly what to expect up till this point, but the excitement was reaching new levels. We started with the main piece. I had not been able to decide between a cardigan and the baseball jacket style. So Laduma suggested that we then incorporate both ideas and combine the styles to make something new and unique. Changed a few colours and patterns around to something which he considered to be something which would suit me best. Next came the shirt and the trousers.  Now Mzo was wearing  pair of pants that was rather formal, but at the ankles they had ribbing like that of a pair of tracksuit pants. I absolutely love this idea! So we incorporated this style into the trousers to keep them formal, but to add a slight funky and creative edge to them. Up next was the scarf. I decided that I would much prefer the idea of having a snood instead of a normal scarf. Again, we looked at the different patterns and changed a few things as to my liking with the input from Laduma on what he thinks and knows works. The same process followed with a beanie... Like how cool is that though! Having a beanie custom made just for you! With your own colours and patterns. Much to my surprise, this is not where it ended. I even got a pair of authentic MaXhosa socks to match the outfit. This is where Laduma decided that I will be the owner of the first ever knitwear tie which he will have made. Things just keep on getting better and better as the day progressed. So all in all, I have a order which is currently being processed in Cape Town at Vuya Fashions which consists of an entire outfit except for shoes and underwear! Dressed from head to toe! At this point the reality had sunk in and I realised what I was privileged enough to experience. The excitement reached a new high and I am definitely much more excited now, knowing what is on it's way to me, than when the day had started. 

All in all I have to say that the experience was something extraordinary! Wow... I'm now sitting on the plane back home to Johannesburg and just so grateful for this amazing prize! Thanks to Russian Bear and Platinum Seed for getting together to make this possible. And I think that the biggest thanks and appreciation must go to the amazing and talented Laduma Ngxokolo for allowing this and granting me the opportunity to be the first person to ever own a custom design Laduma knitwear outfit! I am super excited to get my hands on the outfit and can't wait for it to arrive in the coming next two weeks! 

Oh yes! Before I forget! 
Russian Bear... Next Level