Thebe Magugu Explained

Thebe Magugu
Nationality:South African
Birth Name:Thebetsile Magugu
Birth Date:1993 9, df=yes
Birth Place:Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa
Education:London International School of Fashion, Johannesburg
Label Name:Thebe Magugu
Awards:LVMH Young Fashion Designer Prize (2019)

Thebetsile "Thebe" Magugu[1] (born 1 September 1993)[2] is a South African fashion designer. Born in Kimberley and based in Johannesburg, he rose to prominence as the winner of the 2019 LVMH Young Fashion Designer Prize, and a finalist in the 2021 International Woolmark Prize. Magugu has released eleven solo collections under his own namesake label since 2017, as well as several capsules in collaboration with international brands such as Dior, Adidas, and AZ Factory.

Early life

Magugu was born in the township of Ipopeng on the outskirts of Kimberley,[3] on 1 September 1993. He is of Sotho ancestry.[4] He was educated at St. Patrick's Christian Brothers' College in Kimberley,[5] and then at the London International School of Fashion (LISOF) in Johannesburg,[6] where he studied fashion design, fashion photography and fashion media.[7]

Career

2016–2018: Early career and national breakthrough

After graduating from LISOF, Magugu established his eponymous label in Johannesburg in 2016.[8] Released in the spring/summer season of 2017, his debut collection titled Geology was featured in Vogue Italia.[9] [10] Magugu's following collections included Home Economics for the autumn/winter 2018 season, and Gender Studies for the spring/summer 2018 season, both of which were shown at South African Fashion Week and were notably photographed on scarecrows instead of supermodels.[11] [12] This was followed by the Art History collection in spring/summer 2019,[13] and African Studies in autumn/winter 2019.[14]

2019–present: International breakthrough

In 2019, Magugu was announced as the winner of the International Fashion Showcase by the British Fashion Council.[15] He then became the first African to be awarded the 2019 LVMH Young Fashion Designer Prize, which earned him 300,000 euros and a year's worth of mentoring from LVMH.[16] President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, subsequently commended Magugu and wrote that "his level of consciousness he brings to his artistry is most inspiring and distinguishes him from his contemporaries".[17] Magugu presented his debut collection at the Palais de Tokyo during Paris Fashion Week for the autumn/winter season titled Anthro 1.[18] [19] His first-ever menswear line was released in collaboration with Dover Street Market in London in September of that year.[20]

Magugu designed a dress entitled "Girl Seeks Girl", which was exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2021.[21] This was followed by the Fingerprint Knitted Dress, which American singer Dionne Warwick wore in a short film directed by Solange Knowles titled "Passage", which served as his entry to the 2021 International Woolmark Prize, where he was shortlisted as a finalist.[22] Inspired by family, his collection Genealogy was released during Paris Fashion Week in September 2021 alongside a short film for the spring/summer 2022 season.[23] [24]

In early 2022, Magugu was enlisted by AZ Factory, a brand under Israeli fashion designer Alber Elbaz and Swiss fashion house Richemont, to collaborate on the Amigos clothing line.[25] [26] He partnered with German apparel company Adidas to design a tennis collection which would be worn by athletes Dana Mathewson, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Felix Auger Aliassime, Jessica Pegula and Dominic Thiem at the 2022 US Open.[27] He collaborated with Adidas again in that same year to design a local sportswear collection titled Finding Beauty.[28] In August 2022, American fashion magazine Vogue published a special feature titled "Designer Swap" which saw a collaboration between Magugu and Pierpaolo Piccioli of Valentino.[29] [30] Magugu's Spring 2023 collection, titled Discard Theory, debuted at the Victoria and Albert Museum in October 2022 as part of London Fashion Week.[31] He then was enlisted by Italian fashion designer Maria Grazia Chiuri to reinterpret the "New Look" for French luxury house Dior in a limited-edition capsule collection, whose proceeds would go to the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project.[32] His Fall/Winter 2023 collection, titled Folklorics, debuted at the Sphere Gallery in the Palais de Tokyo during Paris Fashion Week.[33] [34] A piece from the collection was featured in the Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in May 2024.[35]

In May 2024, Magugu opened the brand's first retail store, named "Magugu House", on a 32,000 square foot plot in Dunkeld, Johannesburg.[36]

Personal life

Magugu is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.[37]

Notes and References

  1. News: Evan Ross . Katz . 22 March 2021 . Thebe Magugu on South African Spies and Having Wendy Wear His Clothes . 8 November 2022 . . 30 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221030173107/https://www.papermag.com/thebe-magugu-wear-me-out-2651172476.html . live .
  2. Web site: Issac-Goizé . Tina . 4 September 2019 . Thebe Magugu Wins the 2019 LVMH Prize . 19 October 2022 . . the Johannesburg-based womenswear designer just turned 26 last Sunday . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019122959/https://www.vogue.com/article/lvmh-prize-2019-thebe-magugu-winner . live .
  3. Web site: South African Designer Thebe Magugu Has Found His Voice—And The Fashion World Is Listening. Chioma. Nnadi. 14 April 2020. 19 October 2022. Vogue. 19 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221019125058/https://www.vogue.com/article/designer-thebe-magugu-heritage-inspiration. live.
  4. Web site: Bowles . Hamish . 24 August 2022 . See Thebe Magugu and Valentino's Pierpaolo Piccioli Gloriously Transform Each Other's Work . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019122958/https://www.vogue.com/article/thebe-magugu-pierpaolo-piccioli-designer-swap . live .
  5. Web site: 2 March 2018 . The fabric armourer: Thebe Magugu . 8 November 2022 . . 23 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221023165442/https://mg.co.za/article/2018-03-02-00-the-fabric-armourer-thebe-magugu/ . live .
  6. Web site: Huber . Mellissa . 10 September 2021 . Thebe Magugu on the Political Power of Fashion . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019122957/https://www.metmuseum.org/perspectives/articles/2021/9/thebe-magugu-interview . live .
  7. Web site: Thebe Magugu on building a global business in an emerging market. Lauren. Indvik. 6 May 2019. 19 September 2022. Vogue Business. 19 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221019125055/https://www.voguebusiness.com/talent/articles/thebe-magugu-on-building-a-global-business-in-an-emerging-market/. live.
  8. Web site: Thebe Magugu Wins LVMH Prize for Young Designers. Elizabeth. Paton. 4 September 2019. The New York Times. 19 October 2022. 19 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221019125108/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/04/fashion/thebe-magugu-wins-lvmh-prize-for-young-designers.html. live.
  9. Web site: Tlhagoane . Leanne . 26 June 2017 . Thebe Magugu . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019205313/https://www.vogue.it/en/vogue-talents/news/2017/06/26/thebe-magugu-geology-lookbook-refashion-africa/ . live .
  10. Web site: Magak . Adhiambo E . 29 August 2022 . Thebe Magugu: Game, Set and Match . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019125344/https://www.okayafrica.com/thebe-magugu-us-open/ . live .
  11. Web site: Geldenhuys . Daniël . 3 June 2018 . Thebe Magugu's fierce and feminine new collections . 19 October 2022 . . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019153505/https://www.news24.com/w24/style/fashion/style/thebe-magugus-fierce-and-feminine-new-collections-20180603 . live .
  12. Web site: Gambade . Emilie . 6 September 2019 . Thebe Magugu, a Quiet Fashion Force . 19 October 2022 . . . 9 September 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190909034427/https://allafrica.com/stories/201909060326.html . live .
  13. Web site: Hlalethwa . Zaza . 2 November 2018 . Magugu fashions a new look for Sunday bests . 19 October 2022 . Mail & Guardian . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019153503/https://mg.co.za/article/2018-11-02-00-magugu-fashions-a-new-look-for-sunday-bests/ . live .
  14. Web site: Rasool . Amira . 27 March 2019 . Thebe Magugu is the LVMH prize finalist prioritising the study of African history . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019153506/https://i-d.vice.com/en/article/kzdvxv/thebe-magugu-lvmh-prize-2019 . live .
  15. Web site: Thebe Magugu from South Africa Announced as the Winner of International Fashion Showcase 2019 . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019125341/https://www.britishfashioncouncil.co.uk/pressreleases/Thebe-Magugu-from-South-Africa-Announced-as-the-Winner-of--International-Fashion-Showcase-2019 . live .
  16. Web site: Gambade . Emilie . Tyilo . Malibongwe . 4 September 2019 . SA fashion designer Thebe Magugu wins LVMH Prize . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019122958/https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-09-04-sa-fashion-designer-thebe-magugu-wins-lvmh-prize/ . live .
  17. Web site: Gambade . Emilie . 1 March 2020 . Thebe Magugu shines at Paris Fashion Week . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019153503/https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-03-01-thebe-magugu-shines-at-paris-fashion-week/ . live .
  18. Web site: Nnadi . Chioma . 26 February 2020 . Thebe Magugu Fall 2020 Ready-to-Wear Collection . 19 October 2022 . Vogue . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019155005/https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2020-ready-to-wear/thebe-magugu . live .
  19. Web site: de Greef . Erica . 17 March 2020 . An ode to Ipopeng . 19 October 2022 . Nataal . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019125340/https://nataal.com/an-ode-to-ipopeng . live .
  20. Web site: Silbert . Jake . 29 September 2020 . Thebe Magugu's Debut Menswear Line Takes Cues From His Personal Wardrobe . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019153504/https://hypebeast.com/2020/9/thebe-magugu-menswear-collection-debut . live .
  21. Web site: Mazibuko . Thobile . 24 March 2021 . Thebe Magugu "Girl Seeks Girl" Dress secures spot at the Metropolitan Museum of Art . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019123001/https://www.gq.co.za/style/thebe-magugu-girl-seeks-girl-dress-secures-spot-at-the-metropolitan-museum-of-art-d3a6806e-d89d-4b20-9607-fb077d02db6b . live .
  22. Web site: Mazibuko . Thobile . 8 June 2021 . Thebe Magugu shortlisted for International Woolmark Prize . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019122959/https://www.gq.co.za/style/thebe-magugu-shortlisted-for-international-woolmark-prize-508d636f-30db-426b-94c5-8dbef39422c7 . live .
  23. Web site: Cary . Alice . 28 September 2021 . "Fashion Can Be Such A Powerful Tool": Thebe Magugu On His Family-Inspired SS22 Film . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019155006/https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/article/thebe-magugu-ss22-film-interview . live .
  24. Web site: Pauly . Alexandra . 29 September 2021 . In Paris, Thebe Magugu's Family Tree Blooms . 19 October 2022 . . 2 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230402152739/https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/thebe-magugu-ss22-collection/ . live .
  25. Web site: Chitrakorn . Kati . 4 March 2022 . AZ Factory taps Thebe Magugu as first guest designer . 19 October 2022 . . 1 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221001134721/https://www.voguebusiness.com/fashion/az-factory-welcomes-thebe-magugu-as-first-guest-designer . live .
  26. Web site: Socha . Miles . 4 April 2022 . Thebe Magugu Unveils His Project for AZ Factory . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019122959/https://wwd.com/fashion-news/designer-luxury/thebe-magugu-az-factory-collab-elbaz-1235146819/ . live .
  27. Web site: Legodi . Simangele . 11 August 2022 . Thebe Magugu Adidas tennis collection to debut at the 2022 US Open . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019153504/https://ewn.co.za/2022/08/11/thebe-magugu-adidas-tennis-collection-to-debut-at-the-2022-us-open . live .
  28. Web site: Khalfe . Farah . Inside the adidas x Thebe Magugu Finding Beauty collection launch . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019122959/https://www.gq.co.za/style/style101/inside-the-adidas-x-thebe-magugu-finding-beauty-collection-launch-14628bb9-a0c4-42b4-a4d7-252cdcdb892b . live .
  29. Web site: Khalfe . Farah . 7 September 2022 . Thebe Magugu and Valentino transform each other's work in new creative collaboration . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019122959/https://www.glamour.co.za/fashion/thebe-magugu-and-valentino-transform-each-others-work-in-new-creative-collaboration-8625a7c2-19d8-43e6-8169-265d5b862f5c . live .
  30. Web site: 5 September 2022 . Thebe Magugu's continued global success is a testament to his talent and vision . 19 October 2022 . African Fashion International . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019123000/https://africanfashioninternational.com/thebe-magugu-celebrates-valentino/ . live .
  31. Web site: Mower . Sarah . 10 October 2022 . Thebe Magugu Spring 2023 Ready-to-Wear Collection . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019125343/https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2023-ready-to-wear/thebe-magugu . live .
  32. Web site: Socha . Miles . 18 October 2022 . Dior Teams With Thebe Magugu for Charity Project . 19 October 2022 . . 19 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221019122958/https://wwd.com/fashion-news/designer-luxury/dior-thebe-magugu-collab-capsule-charity-theron-1235391133/ . live .
  33. Web site: Su . Jen . 4 March 2023 . From Kimberley to Paris: Thebe Magugu on his 'Folklorics' collection . 2 April 2023 . . 29 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230329212648/https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/lifestyle/fashion-and-beauty/2023-03-04-from-kimberley-to-paris-thebe-magugu-on-his-folklorics-collection/ . live .
  34. Web site: Pithers . Ellie . 5 March 2023 . Thebe Magugu Fall 2023 Ready-to-Wear Collection . 2 April 2023 . . 30 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230330074133/https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2023-ready-to-wear/thebe-magugu . live .
  35. Web site: 2024-05-09 . Thebe Magugu's Folklorics collection featured in Met exhibition . 2024-06-08 . Bona Magazine.
  36. Web site: Diderich . Joelle . 2024-05-10 . EXCLUSIVE: South African Designer Thebe Magugu’s First Retail Location Is More Than Just a Store . 2024-06-08 . WWD . en-US.
  37. Web site: AnOther . 31 March 2022 . Thebe Magugu: "I Want My Clothes to Be Relics for South Africa" . 8 November 2022 . AnOther . 23 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221023074203/https://www.anothermag.com/fashion-beauty/13995/thebe-magugu-south-africa-genealogy . live .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Thebe Magugu".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.