![An illustration with photos of South African designer Laduma Ngxokolo of MaXhosa; former president Nelson Mandela; and a model wearing Mantsho on the runway.](https://www.okayafrica.com/media-library/an-illustration-with-photos-of-south-african-designer-laduma-ngxokolo-of-maxhosa-former-president-nelson-mandela-and-a-model-w.jpg?id=52114326&width=1200&height=800&quality=85&coordinates=0%2C0%2C0%2C0)
The launch of the South African Fashion Week in 1997 helped create a semblance of identity in the country’s fashion industry.
Photo Credits: (From left) Andreas Rentz/Getty Images for Vogue and The Dubai Mall; Jeff Overs/BBC News & Current Affairs via Getty Images; Alet Pretorius/Gallo Images via Getty Images | Illustration by Srikar Poruri for OkayAfrica.