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Confections x Collections 2025: A Homecoming for African Fashion

This November, Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, opens its doors once again to celebrate African fashion, food, and culture. In partnership with sustainability platform Twyg, the hotel presents the fourth edition of Confections x Collections (CxC), a three-day experience that brings together creativity, community, and slow luxury.

Running from 6 to 8 November 2025, this year’s theme, “Our Homecoming,” explores ideas of return, belonging, and identity. It draws inspiration from the textiles and traditions that have shaped Africa’s fashion landscape for generations. More than just a show, it’s a reflection on how heritage continues to inform the future of design.

CxC has become a highlight in South Africa’s cultural calendar. It’s where fashion and storytelling meet, where sustainability feels stylish, and where Mount Nelson transforms into a space that honours both craft and culture. Over three days, guests are invited to experience fashion presentations paired with a reimagined version of the hotel’s famous Afternoon Tea, created to match each designer’s collection.

This year’s line-up includes some of Africa’s most celebrated and innovative designers. Shelley Mokoena, founder of CONNADE, brings her signature blend of natural form and architectural detail. From Kenya, Anil Padia of Yoshita 1967 offers pieces that reflect his Indo-Kenyan heritage through delicate, ritual-inspired design. Luke Radloff of UNI FORM continues his exploration of handwoven materials and minimalist tailoring, while Laduma Ngxokolo of MaXhosa Africa returns with his bold and colourful knitwear inspired by Xhosa heritage.

“Following the success of previous editions, which welcomed designers like Thebe Magugu and Sindiso Khumalo, CxC continues to spark dialogue around sustainability and the future of African fashion,” says Jackie May, founder and editor of Twyg. “We’re excited to bring guests into this world once again.”

Each show unfolds in a different corner of Mount Nelson’s gardens and halls, creating moments where design, taste, and storytelling come together. Executive Sous Chef Vicky Gurovich leads the culinary experience, designing dishes that echo the textures and moods of each collection. The result is a sensory journey that connects food and fashion through shared ideas of creativity and care.

For Patrick Fisher, General Manager of Mount Nelson, the collaboration speaks to the hotel’s ongoing role in nurturing African talent. “We’re excited to build on Mount Nelson’s legacy through Confections x Collections. It’s about welcoming today’s creative leaders and future innovators to the joyful home of Cape Town. CxC celebrates Belmond’s commitment to showcasing the continent’s brilliance through authentic hospitality,” he says.

The event takes place over three evenings: 6 November featuring Anil Padia and Shelley Mokoena, 7 November with Luke Radloff, and 8 November with Laduma Ngxokolo closing the series. Tickets are R995 per act and can be booked via DinePlan. For those who can’t attend, the featured collections will also be displayed at AKJP Concept Store on Kloof Street, giving the public a chance to experience the artistry up close.

Since its debut, Confections x Collections has become more than an event. It celebrates African creativity, craftsmanship, and sustainability in equal measure. Through Twyg’s storytelling and Mount Nelson’s history, it continues to shape a narrative that feels proudly local yet globally relevant.