Presidential debut at AFI Johannesburg Fashion Week
Africa Meets Asia in a Collection Radiating Gold
Presidential will debut at AFI Fashion Week on Friday 5th October at 8.30pm in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg with The Presidential Gold Collection for Spring/Summer 2018. Expect a fusion of African and Asian design in vibrant patterns & textures and a thread of luxurious gold throughout.
The brand, already well-known for the distinctive hand-painted silk batik shirts made famous by Nelson Mandela, has crafted a collection marrying African artisanal crafts and styling with Asian prints. Every piece is lined with gold and has distinct golden finishes.
With hand embroidery, patchworking, hand quilting, hand-painted silk and batik fabrics used throughout the collection. The effect is unique, luxurious yet undeniably Presidential.
Presidential has evolved through its collaboration with Italian born designer Pietro Giannuzzi. With over 20 years of experience in haute couture and menswear in South Africa and abroad, Giannuzzi has an innovative approach to design, creating an unprecedented standard for the brand through the use of luxurious and refined fabrics. “To be able to present our collection at this event, alongside so many established and upcoming designers from all over Africa is a great honour” says Giannuzzi.
Presidential can no longer be defined solely by the classic Presidential Shirt. Bomber jackets, trench coats, quilted puffer jackets, kaftans, t-shirts, shorts, shoes and more can be expected from the exclusive men’s range.
The collection, which comprises 45 distinctive looks has been designed and produced at the Lontana Clothing Factory in Cape Town, South Africa. A selection of garments from the Fashion Week collection will be available to purchase at the Presidential stores in Johannesburg and the soon to be opened Cape Town V&A Waterfront store.
In the centenary year of Nelson Mandela’s birth, its founding designer hopes Mr Mandela would have been proud of the impact his style is having. “Presidential is stretching the brand further than I could have imagined in terms of its style and its African & global reach” says Founding Designer Desre Buirski.
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ABOUT PRESIDENTIAL
Presidential is the brand behind Presidential Shirt, and the manufacturer and supplier of the iconic ‘Madiba Shirt’. Presidential Shirt was founded by Desre Buirski, who designed over 150 ‘Madiba Shirts’ for Nelson Mandela. Mr Mandela chose to wear this style of shirt to project impact and influence on the global stage. Various styles of ‘The Madiba Shirt’ have been worn by some of the greatest men of our time, and continue to project confidence and individuality when worn by men of influence today.
The Presidential Group is a privately-owned South African men’s clothing manufacturer and distributor with brands such as Robert Daniel, Thomas & Benno and Twill. Desre Buirski is a Cape Town-based clothing designer and nutritionist who founded Presidential Shirt.
