For the first time in H&M’s 72-year history, the retail powerhouse has partnered with a popular South African-based clothing brand to launch Mantsho x H&M, a dynamic collaboration designed to celebrate the cutting-edge style and vibrancy of Africa.
Pops of bold prints, carefully-crafted linen blends and Afrocentric accessories all encompass the innovative line; many of its pieces weaving a story of Africa’s lively culture while meeting the high demands of 21st-century fast fashion.
![H&M teams up with African fashion brand for the first time in its 72-year history](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/4.jpg)
“This is my love letter to the world from Africa,” says Mantsho’s head of design, Palesa Mokubung. “I hope customers around the world will enjoy this ensemble of my stand-out pieces from my last three collections.”
In an interview with Face2Face Africa (F2FA), Palesa (PW) discussed her creative process and what it is like to work with H&M.
Read the details of the interview below:
F2FA: Can you talk to me about what inspired you to begin designing clothes?
PW: I was born a creative person and when it came to choosing careers I naturally leaned towards designing, which I was passionate about and very good at.
F2FA: How did the Mantsho & H&M collaboration come into fruition? What were your initial thoughts?
PW: When H&M came knocking, I had been building this iconic brand Mantsho for 15 years during which time it has grown in leaps and bounds into a label much-loved by stylish South African women. Mantsho has been a South African Fashion Week staple and has been featured on global runways including Brazil, Greece, Jamaica, Nigeria, Senegal and the US, to list but a few. When they approached me I was excited but I also I knew I was ready. I had put a lot of work into finessing my craft and building my brand including studying.
![H&M teams up with African fashion brand for the first time in its 72-year history](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/9.jpg)
F2FA: What impact do you think this collection will bring in regards to African fashion merging into the Western world?
PW: Every piece reveals my love for contemporary African culture and passion for structure and aesthetics. The collection has a global appeal but with a strong South African design influence. I transformed African materials into modern and edgy designs, incorporating woven fabrics to end up with a 100% Mantsho garment. A Mantsho garment can be identified by three distinct elements – it’s confident, its effortless silhouette and its structure and quirkiness.
![H&M teams up with African fashion brand for the first time in its 72-year history](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/6.jpg)
F2FA: What is your favorite piece in the collection?
PW: My best wardrobe stand-out piece is the unique Mantsho collar, which can also be worn in a variety of interesting ways.
F2FA: How do you think the line will resonate with the average H&M consumer?
PW: I am excited for H&M customers to finally see this beautiful range and all the hard work that has gone into it. I am confident the range will do well more so as the collection is a compilation of my best sellers from Mantsho’s past three successful collections.
![H&M teams up with African fashion brand for the first time in its 72-year history](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/3.jpg)
F2FA: H&M has been known to collaborate with designers in the past (Comme des Garçons and to Lanvin to name a few). What separates the Mantsho collection from the rest?
PW: I wanted to celebrate the beauty of women, the vibrancy and diversity of the African aesthetic, its textures and colors. Mantsho was selected for its distinctly African designs and its ethos.
![H&M teams up with African fashion brand for the first time in its 72-year history](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/5.jpg)
F2FA: Looking past the H&M collaboration, where do you see your fashion line in 10 years?
PW: H&M has given me reach to a wider global market and working with a global retailer of this magnitude has given me knowledge I didn’t have. For the first time I had an opportunity to create an accessory line which was amazing. I see Mantsho being a household international brand.
![H&M teams up with African fashion brand for the first time in its 72-year history](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/8.jpg)
The Mantsho x H&M collection is available in the select U.S stores around the country and online at hm.com.