South African designer Thebe Magugu presented his short fashion film “BANYOLOYI A BOSIGO” exploring African spirituality during Paris Fashion Week.

“As many of us know, African Spirituality – which is exceptional in its plurality – is primarily based on the relationship we have with our ancestors, and any disruption between this line results in existential thoughts, and sometimes serious illness. This season, I wanted to have a conversation with traditional healers, who have divinely been given powers to answer our most burning questions, and who act as a conduit between various realms, often by using objects of divination. It’s a very particular kind of strength, one that doesn’t show-off and relies heavily on the natural” explained the designer.

The collection’s associating film titled BANYOLOYI A BOSIGO (Ultimate Midnite Angels), directed and written by long-term collaborator Kristin-Lee Moolman, explores the idea of spirituality through the story of a love between two members of rivaling tribes. “I like the idea of creating heroes and mythologies around South African women of all race, and of all sexualities – an intersectional view of Africa”, says Kristin of the film, “In the same way the westerns romanticized and reclaimed that period of American history, we too must form our own narratives and realities outside of ‘perpetual victimhood’”.

One of the collection’s primary collaborators, Noentla Khumalo, is a Johannesburg-based stylist and traditional healer, who uses the medium of bones to communicate. For the collection’s headlining print, Noentla threw objects she uses to divinate – goat knuckles, an old police whistle, a pencil sharpener, seashells, and red dice cubes – onto a mat, which Thebe Magugu photographed, abstracted, and printed onto key styles. “These garments become quite personal, as their wearer will have their own interpretation of the story these bones are telling, all stemming from the question: ‘what’s next’”, says Noentla of the collaborative effort.

CREDITS: FILM BY KRISTIN-LEE MOOLMAN ART DIRECTION BY CHLOE ANDREA Produced by: Lampost Productions Executive Producer: Jodie Ennik Lead Cast Sio – JADE FOX Phumla – LADY WHIRLWIND Amy Zama – BIG BOSS UNTOUCHABLE Ponahalo Mojapelo – MOUSE Supporting Cast Tamara Moeng Vanessa Mojapelo Tracy Mokgopo Tumi Ntsewa Siphelele Veti Beatrice Asi Kuwornu Sfiso Mkhabela Junior Malebese Prince Ubamara Director of Photography: Kristin Lee Moolman Art Director, Set & Costume: Chloe Andrea Editor: Kristin Lee Moolman Lookbook Stills: Tatenda Chidora Graphics + Layout: Commission Studio Make Up Head: Annice Roux Special Effects Make Ups: Jurine Erwee Hair Department Head: Khomotso Moloto Casting: Melissa Voges Fight coordinator: Ryan Sound Recordist: Tara Senior Gagger: Tatenda Chidora Best Boy: Talente Khomo Special thank you to: Temi Ofong Paul Diamond Tebogo Magoshoa