The countdown to Dundee’s highly anticipated annual high fashion and horse racing event, the Dundee July, has begun. While horses prepare to race against one another on Saturday, fashion designers are racing against time by putting the final touches on collections set to celebrate African identity in style.

This year’s theme embraces the theme ‘Elegantly African’, which invites designers, models and race-goers to showcase the richness of African heritage and culture through modern fashion.

Among the featured designers is Milan-trained Mxolisi Mkhize, founder and designer of House of Saint Luke, who believes Africa has entered a new era of fashion by creating its own trends and encouraging craftsmanship and contemporary African style.

“A few years ago, Africa was not able to prove itself on a global platform and enter the fashion industry. Now, it claims to be a continent that not only inspires international designers but sets its own trends.” Despite studying European fashion culture, Mxolisi explained that the inspiration for this year’s collection comes from home rather than overseas.

Designers put the finishing touches on collections

Beyond showcasing creativity, the designer hopes that the Dundee July will open doors for local brands. Also bringing her unique version to this year’s runway is Sluu Mokeona, founder of Sluvin Designs, whose collection draws inspiration from a passion for elegance and African culture.

Mokeona, who has built a reputation as an international designer, states that her designs come from blending modest fashion with cultural influences to stitch garments that represent the beauty and dignity of African heritage.

Her collection for the Dundee July will include a children’s range that aims to encourage the younger generation to embrace their culture and identity through fashion. “I want children to see the beauty of cultural fashion from a young age. They are the future of our heritage, and this is the first step to helping them wear their culture with pride.”

The young model will walk the runway dressed in Dhadamba-inspired attire and garments featuring leopard-print African fabrics, showcasing both African royalty and timeless elegance. With storytelling garments and contemporary tailoring expected to dominate the runway, spectators can look forward to a fashion show that celebrates both creativity and the diversity of the continent.

For Dundee, the event is more than a horse racing event. It’s an opportunity to celebrate local talent, show support to the creative community, and establish African fashion as a global force.

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