Lo Ngu-Mbulelo: An Ode to the Past, While Embracing the Future

MAXHOSA Africa returns to Paris Fashion Week in March 2025 with a new collection, Lo Ngu-Mbulelo. This marks the brand’s second consecutive season on the official Paris Fashion Week schedule, once again standing as the only African brand featured.

Rooted in ancient African tradition, Lo Ngu-Mbulelo is an ode to heritage and thanksgiving, deeply connected to the gratitude that ties us to our roots. Umbulelo, meaning “thanksgiving” in Xhosa, is a sacred act of giving thanks—historically expressed through sacrificial ceremonies that usher in prosperity.

“In its essence, this collection is about honouring the practice of expressing gratitude for the blessings we have received and for the many cultures and communities that have embraced and shaped us,” says Laduma Ngxokolo, Chief Creative Director, MAXHOSA AFRICA.”

At its core, Umbulelo is a reminder that fashion is more than art—it is a language of appreciation, acknowledging creativity as a gift passed down by ancestors. In Xhosa culture, offering Umbulelo is a ceremonial act that pays tribute to ancestors while expressing gratitude for their guidance and protection. Traditionally, this practice includes the sacrifice of an animal, followed by spoken blessings, prayers, and thanksgiving at a sacred shrine.

The phrase "Kube Chosi”—meaning “Let everything spoken at the shrine manifest”—reflects the essence of Umbulelo. Within the context of MAXHOSA AFRICA, this spirit of thanksgiving extends beyond ancestors to the global influences and relationships that have shaped the brand. This collection serves as an offering of thanks—a tribute to the cultures, people, and traditions that have contributed to MAXHOSA’s journey.

More than just an act of gratitude, Umbulelo is an invitation for prosperity. At the heart of the eXhantini (African kraal)—a sacred circular enclosure where communities gather—rituals and ceremonies take place, uniting the past and future while welcoming ancestral blessings. This communal space symbolises strength and connection, mirroring MAXHOSA’s storytelling through patterns that blend multiple African cultures. As Laduma Ngxokolo states:

“Umbulelo, as a thanksgiving ceremony, continues that legacy by inviting global prosperity—through the collaboration of cultures and the shared influences that shape us. This collection is our invitation to prosperity, a celebration of how far we have come, and a gratitude-filled offering to those who have welcomed us into their worlds. Our presence in Paris is not just an achievement for us, but for everyone who has supported this journey. It is a collective celebration of how far we have come, made possible by the kindness and generosity of others.”

Debuting in Paris—a city at the intersection of art, culture, and fashion—this collection’s significance extends beyond its presentation. Paris is not just the setting; it represents a global meeting point where cultures converge and elevate one another. As MAXHOSA stands among fashion’s elite, this collection is a testament to African luxury and its place on the world stage.

True to MAXHOSA’s signature aesthetic, Lo Ngu-Mbulelo blends contemporary fashion with timeless African heritage. Beyond familiar silhouettes and techniques, the collection reimagines ceremonial luxury—draping ancestors in MAXHOSA’s distinctive patterns. A key expansion in this collection includes accessories, with shoes, bags, and an extended jewellery line adding new dimensions to the brand’s offering.

A Matriarchal Tribute

This collection holds particular significance as it debuts on International Women’s Day, a moment to honour the women who have nurtured and shaped society. It pays special tribute to the MAXHOSA matriarch—the guiding force behind the brand’s creative spirit. This womenswear collection is a powerful statement, celebrating women as the architects of culture, art, and innovation.

At its heart, Lo Ngu-Mbulelo is a celebration of unity among African cultures, a reverence for the past, and an embrace of the future. As MAXHOSA steps into a new chapter of global recognition, this collection stands as a moment of gratitude—for the journey, for the communities that have shaped it, and for the cultural legacy it carries forward.

Makuce Chosi, Kube Hele, Kudede Ubumnyama kuvele ukukhanya.(Let it be said, let it be done, let the darkness fade away, and let the light appear.)

Paris Fashion Week Presentation

📅 Date: Saturday, 8 March 2025⏰ Time: 12h30 - 15h00📍 Location: Paris, France🔹 By invitation only