Silver shipwreck jacket, shirt, trousers and headscarf
2023 {Folklorics collection, autumn-winter 2023}
Medium
triacetate, polyester
Measurements
(a) 123.0 cm (centre back) 46.5 cm (waist, flat) (jacket)
(b) 74.0 cm (centre back) 72.0 cm (sleeve length) (shirt)
(c) 109.0 cm (outer leg) 34.0cm (waist, flat) (trousers)
(d) 97.0 × 146.0 cm (headscarf)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, NGV Supporters of Fashion and Textiles, 2023
© THEBEMAGUGU
Gallery location
Not on display
About this work
South African designer Thebe Magugu established his label with the intention to decolonise fashion and honour his cultural identity and heritage. To date, collections have explored themes of personal, political, historical or cultural significance. This outfit from Magugu’s Folklorics collection is a comment on the importance of African modes of storytelling – legends, proverbs and oral histories. The nautical print is specifically inspired by the folktale of Mami Wata, a mermaid-like creature known to lure fishermen astray, which illustrates Magugu’s interest in representations of the femme body within African folklore.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
South Africa
Inscription
(a) label, centre back neckline, woven in black on red polyester: THEBE MAGUGU / S/ (two women seated) /SOUTH AFRICA
(b) label, centre back neckline, woven black on red polyester: THEBE MAGUGU / S
(c) label, centre back neckline, woven black on red polyester: THEBE MAGUGU / S
Accession Number
2023.701.a-d
Department
International Fashion and Textiles