According to Sowetan LIVE, local designer Mzukisi Mbane is not just making waves in the fashion world through his brand Imprint ZA; he’s also championing a cause close to his heart: raising HIV awareness and encouraging young people to prioritise their health and well-being. At this year’s Durban July, Mbane turned the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse into a vibrant runway of activism, spreading a powerful message of self-love and sexual health.
The fashion show featured bespoke garments adorned with emotive slogans, seamlessly integrated into Imprint’s signature fabrics. This collaboration is part of the HIV awareness and prevention campaign, Forever Wena, which advocates for young people to get tested, know their HIV status, and engage in safe sex practices.
One of the standout models in this purposeful fashion showcase was former Miss SA, Shudufhadzo Musida, who wowed the crowd in a bright-hued voluminous ball gown. She was joined by Champions star Kwenzo Ngcobo, Blood and Water actor Dillon Windvogel, medical doctor and model Dr. Karishma Ramdev, celebrated drag performer Manila von Teez, and TikTok sensation Wynand Kotze. Each personality brought the campaign’s message to life through unique, eye-catching designs.
Mbane himself wore a piece inspired by gay rights and HIV activist Simon Nkoli. Reflecting on his design process, he shared, “The most exciting part of my creative process was when I got to create designs that embodied each of the personalities involved in the campaign. I loved the challenge of creating a Forever Wena and Imprint world where these different personalities exist.”
Slogans like “Always choose you,” “Always about wena,” “Forever choose you,” and “I do it for me, for a lifetime of me” were skill-fully woven into Imprint’s distinct fabrics. “For Imprint, this became very easy as we create prints. It was just making sure that the HIV awareness and prevention messaging was visible in a tasteful manner while maintaining Imprint’s integrity as a fashion brand,” Mbane explained.
Musida’s show-stopping ball gown, featuring one-shoulder structural detailing in electric magenta and violet print, caused a sensation on social media. Reflecting on the power of fashion, she said, “Fashion is not just a form of art but is a language that has shaped and defined various eras of human history. More than that, fashion has the power to drive social change, as we have witnessed in the discussions on women’s autonomy and their very existence. Art can evoke emotions, urgency, and social change – this garment did just that. I love how the garment encapsulates the boldness of this conversation, campaign, and Imprint.”
Attending her first Durban July in such a powerful garment by one of her favourite designers was an exciting experience for Musida. “This dress represents freedom of choice and our autonomy, especially in our interactions,” she said.
Speaking on the campaign, Musida emphasised the possibility of an HIV-free generation. “I chose to join the campaign as an advocate for an HIV-free generation, and that starts with education in the most accessible and relatable way – getting the information to people where they are and not where we want them to be. Options are available to ensure that we all make the right choices to protect ourselves and others. The conversation has started, and I hope it continues Forever Wena,” she said.
Through this collaboration, Mbane and Imprint ZA have not only showcased stunning fashion but also amplified a crucial message, proving that style can indeed be a powerful vehicle for social change.
