South Africa’s fashion scene seems to be developing parallel alongside India’s. At the recently held fall/winter Audi Joburg Fashion Week, there was plenty of fanfare, drama and inspiration on the ramp, just as in India. But while most Indian designers marry Indian sensibility with a western touch, South African designers seemed to be pandering to the West. With the exception of designer Sun Goddess, who proudly used African motifs and animal and tribal prints, most other designers who showcased their collections had a “Go West” outlook. While younger designers like Hip Hop and Exodus did collections that were a mix of contemporary and traditional influences.

The poster boy of South African fashion, Gavin Rajah (of Indian origin), showed his collection at the finale and it was inspired by the bright colours of India. With large doses of bling and a touch of drama, the collection was reminiscent of Manish Malhotra.