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A winner on the fashion field: Rachel Kolisi pairs comfort with style
SA Style award-winner, Rachel Kolisi, is known for putting her best foot forward when it comes to fashion.
Rachel Kolisi, Image Instagram
Married to South African rugby captain Siyamtanda (Siya), Rachel Kolisi is rugby royalty and is often seen well-styled while supporting her husband on the pitch.
Currently living in France and supporting her husband in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, while also leading local and international business endeavours, Rachel is very busy but always manages to do it in style.
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Rachel met Siya in 2012 at a dinner in Stellenbosch, they quickly became friends and Siya eventually asked Rachel out on a date.
This led to many years of her supporting him through his career, and a marriage in 2016.
She previously worked in event management and is the co-founder of the Kolisi Foundation. Started in 2020, the foundation aims to change fix inequality and help underserved communities and vulnerable people across the country.
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Makhanda-raised Rachel is the mother of two children, Nicholas and Keziah, who she often gushes over on social media.
She’s frequently described as kind-hearted, which was evident when she adopted Siya’s two siblings, Liphelo and Liyema.
Layla (Cupido) Kolbe has previously shared Rachel is one of the most supportive persons in her life, and Rachel is a favorite bridesmaid at rugby weddings.
While Rachel shared a sweet birthday message to her rugby bestie.
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Rachel is no stranger to the fashion world, she and Siya were awarded the Most Stylish Couple at the SA Style Awards in 2020.
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It can’t be easy being SA’s premiere WAG, (wives and girlfriends of high-profile sportsmen and women) with all eyes on you, especially around the Rugby World Cup, but Rachel seems to take it in her stride.
When hosting or speaking at public engagements she always wins in the fashion stakes.
We take a look at some of her top fashion looks:
Business Mode
While on a speaker panel at a Clarins event, she wears an olive green blazer, wide-leg slacks, and a nude polo-neck top, pairing it with classic pointy nude heels.
Wide-leg pants are a current trend because of their versatility and can be worn with sneakers or high heels. Adding a blazer takes the look from casual to business formal.
Cream cuts
Attending their last church service at The Rivers Balito Church, Rachel poses with her husband in a cream jersey, loose cream linen pants, and fuchsia-shaded sneakers, keeping her look simple with hair tied up and sunglasses.
Adding a pop of color with the shoes makes the cream stand out, a fashion tip for anyone who doesn’t enjoy wearing patterns and likes to keep it simple.
Grayscale
While in New York, she poses in a wrap Houndstooth skirt, a black top, and a black and white baseball jacket, which some regard as a varsity jacket. For increased comfort, white sneakers have been added.
The look is cheeky, sporty, and sophisticated all at the same time. The baseball jacket adds a dash of New York swagger.
Varsity jackets initially became popular in 1865, when Harvard University used them to distinguish their baseball team from other teams.
They quickly became a school and college fashion standard, worn primarily by sportsmen and celebrities such as pop King Michael Jackson in the media.
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Noir
At the HeraldLIVE, Citizen of the Year Awards, she wears a belted black sequenced blazer top, with a long tulle skirt. Red lipstick adds a touch of colour and her hair is elegantly tied up in a loose bun.
The outfit is credited to Stephen van Eeden of Stephen_van_Eeden clothing.
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The designer has dressed numerous celebrities, including former Miss South Africa Liesel Laurie and 7Laan actress Amalia Uys.
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Local is lekker
Posting with Bok captain and hubby, Rachel wears traditional Xhosa attire, looking amazing like a Xhosa bride in brands like Adidas and Rich Mnisi.
ALSO READ: Designer Rich Mnisi on showcasing his Tsonga roots
Homegrown
While at the screening of her husband’s documentary Rise, Rachel proudly wears a two-piece patterned design from South African luxury designer MaXhosa, pairing the green, black, and pink suit with white sneakers.
