Taibo Bacar SS2020 was titled MULHER DE MANDEVO. A continuation of the story of Mandevo, a girl from the beautiful village in the South of Maputo, Mozambique. This season Taibo said he did not want to leave Mandevo in the village but wanted to showcase the full spectrum of her life’s journey and that with education everything is possible.
The “Mulher de Mandevo” collection was inspired by the customs of southern Mozambique, focusing on the traditions of the women who inhabit the various villages around that part of the country. “MANDEVO tells our story by representing our women, we are now telling the story in a different way; we raised our little girl, watched her grow and now she has conquered the world and made everybody proud… She currently lives all over the world but she remains very proud of her identity and who she is – a woman with faith, principles, character and respect for others” said Bacar.
Collectively the collection was “inspired by the traditions of southern Mozambique – telling the story of a thousand and one African women scattered all around the globe, as well as the millions of women around the world that share the same heart and soul as the African woman” said Bacar.
The collection was dominated by an inhouse print of tropical birds and botanicals printed onto various fabrications. Bacar said when he started his design career he struggled with finding his cultural identity when he tried to represent his nationality through his design work. He says that he has since found his voice and stopped looking at other designers’ work in neighbouring countries like South Africa and Western Africa. Who have many distinct cultural motifs that they can fuse into their design work. For Bacar, he mentioned that he grew up in the garden, going to the beach and listening to birds thus he has since started to look inwards and come to the realization that, that is the best culture that best represents him and his design work. Consequently, a strong luxury ready to wear lounge and resort aesthetic.
For SS2020 the collection was divided into four stories. The first and opening story was white collection. With the show opening by the ex Elizabeth Arden’s first African Ambassador, Adeola Ariyo. Ariyo, was poised on a white pedestal like an African goddess clad in a white full bathing suit that contrasted her beautiful pure black skin against the green background screen showing the ocean accented by beach waves and twittering birds. The white story Taibo Bacar says represented purity and the birth of a woman.
The second story was the soft nude pinks that represents the sweet, delicate, and girly aspect of a young girl like Mandevo [this is not a long hanging fruit bait for colour politics, gender social constructs and colour versus gender roles in society.]
The third story was the red story which represented – blood – the hardships women have to endure in life. Adding his voice to the condemnation of the gender-based violence against women and children in South Africa. There was satin chiffon printed wrap dresses, spaghetti straps pleated chiffon, embellished denim and ‘fearless’ printed satin chiffon resort pants suits for men.
The fourth story dealt with death. The final stage of life which was portrayed by an army of models in black looks. Black chiffon printed sets, stretch fitted shits, maxi dresses, embroidered logo miniskirts and T-shirts.
The implied fifth story was the celebration of the afterlife where Taibo Bacar honoured the life of his friend, Songezo who passed on a few weeks ago. Songezo Gxalab was Bacar’s dear friend and the brand’s Joburg based publicist. Consequently, after his passing Bacar said he decided to design a few menswear honour the life of Songenzo. He admits that it was Songezo who used to nag him to expand his luxury ready to wear offering into menswear.
Taibo Bacar is one of the few if not the only fashion house that offers a full spectrum of apparel offering; clothing, footwear and accessories. They have an atelier and a shop in Maputo, a boutique in Hyde Corner in Johannesburg, a pop-up shop-in-shop – Africa Rise – in Sandton City and soon to open a boutique in Luanda, Angola.
Which begs the question, could TAIBO BACAR be the first export African luxury brand and even go further the first listed export African luxury brand?
Watch Fashion Business Insights Acccording To Taibo Bacar HERE