As we look into the future of fashion and design, we had the pleasure of chatting with Nonhlanhla Ndlovu, who guided us through the exciting plans for Crotchetcourture and shared her insights on what we can expect in the fashion world by 2025.
“Crotchetcourture draws inspiration from the latest runway trends abroad,” Nonhlanhla explains. “When dressing artists, we really dive into the theme of the event and play around with different designs—it’s all about freestyling with the pieces where we can.”
One of her standout celebrity collaborations was with Uncle Waffles for Coachella. “The inspiration came from Pinterest, and we worked hard to create something that fit her unique style and stage presence. Initially, I was unsure about the design. The concept had to come entirely from my imagination, but after a few tries, we made it work!” she recalls.
Current fashion trends are heavily influenced by street style, with crochet and knitwear taking center stage. “Prints are making a comeback, especially alongside denim-on-denim looks, which have gained popularity through the sustainability movement and upcycling,” she adds.
Looking ahead to 2025, Nonhlanhla predicts several exciting trends:
– A strong resurgence of animal prints
– More upcycled fashion pieces
– The return of 90s styles, including low-rise and mini skirts paired with tiny tops.
As Crotchetcourture South Africa, they’re eager to push boundaries with crochet in the coming years. “We have some projects lined up that we’ll be revealing soon, and they might even include crochet pieces for pets—shhhh!” Nonhlanhla exclaims with a smile.
Cultural representation plays a significant role in their designs. “Creating handmade pieces in South Africa is a highlight for us,” she explains. “Knowing that the wool we use is sourced from local Merino sheep in the Karoo region adds to the sustainability of our work. It’s all about keeping it local.”
However, the journey isn’t without challenges. “Being copied is inevitable,” she admits. “We all draw inspiration from each other, but it can be tough when other designers take cues from our popular designs. Still, the industry is big enough for everyone, and it’s essential to learn from one another.”
For aspiring designers, Nonhlanhla has some solid advice: “Keep posting on online platforms. Keep pushing boundaries. Someone is always watching, even when you think no one is.”
When it comes to her personal style, she describes it as simple: “I’m all about crop tops and short skirts! You might notice that some of my pieces reflect this, often being quite revealing and all about those small details.”
As for the rapid growth of technology and AI, Nonhlanhla notes, “With Crotchetcourture, it might take a bit longer to see any major impacts, as crochet can’t be replicated by machines—only by hand. However, there have been AI features that can produce crochet designs, which I think is pretty cool for visualizing concepts.”
Major collaborations for Crotchetcourture include events like Afronation, Coachella, and Promiseland. Looking to the future, Nonhlanhla expresses her excitement: “I would love to work with certain international stylists in 2025, and that’s already in the works. It would be a dream to collaborate with someone like Nahmias—what an inspiration!”
In conclusion, the future looks bright for Crotchetcourture and Nonhlanhla Ndlovu. With a commitment to sustainability, local craftsmanship, and innovation in design, they are set to make waves in the fashion industry. As Nonhlanhla reminds us, “The journey is just beginning, and there’s so much more to come!”
Written by Sisipho Caroline Nyamela.
