Thebe Magugu

Thebe Magugu is more than a fashion designer — he is a cultural archivist, a storyteller, and a fearless innovator reshaping global perceptions of African creativity. Hailing from South Africa, Magugu has risen swiftly to international prominence, becoming the first African to win the prestigious LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers in 2019. But his impact goes far beyond accolades.

Magugu’s work is deeply rooted in African identity, often weaving historical and political narratives into garments that speak to both heritage and modernity. His collections read like visual essays, exploring themes such as matriarchy, spirituality, surveillance, and memory through sharply tailored silhouettes and rich symbolism. By doing so, he positions African storytelling at the heart of contemporary fashion — not as an accessory or trend, but as a vital, world-shaping force.

Through his innovative approach and commitment to community-driven design, Magugu is redefining what it means to be a designer from the Global South. He collaborates with African photographers, writers, and artisans, spotlighting a creative ecosystem that is young, unapologetic, and intellectually rigorous. He challenges reductive notions of “African fashion,” instead offering a nuanced, authentic vision that bridges the local and the global.

In shaping the future of African creatives, Thebe Magugu is building a blueprint: one where craft meets critique, where fashion becomes a form of resistance, and where African talent is not discovered but recognized — on its own terms.