MaXhosa Africa paid tribute to its roots during Paris Fashion Week, unveiling its Spring/Summer 2026 collection, Izipho Zabadala (Gifts for the Ancestors), at the Lycée Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague in Paris.
The Xhosa luxury knitwear brand stood alongside global fashion heavyweights like Hermès and Balenciaga, marking a major moment for South African fashion.
As the only African-based brand on the official Paris Fashion Week schedule endorsed by the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM), MaXhosa carried the continent’s creative voice to one of the world’s biggest stages.
“Izipho Zabadala is a retrospective look at what we’ve been creating over the past 15 years. Every garment speaks across time, weaving past, present, and future together – a bridge connecting the living with the ancestral realm.” – Designer and founder Laduma Ngxokolo
The show celebrated African heritage in full colour, featuring music legend Yvonne Chaka Chaka on the runway and a live performance by Zawadi YaMungu, blending sound, fashion, and storytelling in true MaXhosa style.
“This collection is our heartfelt offering of gratitude to the wisdom, creativity, and heritage passed down by our elders,” Ngxokolo adds.
Over the years, MaXhosa’s bold prints and knitwear have caught the attention of global icons like Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill, Boity, Maglera Doe Boy, and Zozibini Tunzi — and this Paris moment adds another milestone to the brand’s journey.