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The stratospheric rise of South African fashion designer Thebe Magugu

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4 years ago

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The rising star whose cerebral designs delve into the footnotes of history

Thebe Magugu may not yet be a name that trips off the tongue, but that’s about to change. Because Thebe (pronounced “Tebe”; the h is silent) is, by most accounts, a force to be reckoned with.

Hailing from Kimberley in South Africa, a small town more famous for diamonds than fashion, Magugu is in the midst of what can only be described as a stratospheric rise. The creator of quietly beautiful menswear and womenswear, he launched his label in 2016. His work was picked up by Italian Vogue and in 2019, he won the LVMH prize. Presently, he is in the final six for the International Woolmark Prize 2021 (the winner will be announced later this year) and is part of MatchesFashion’s Innovators Programme.

A design by Thebe Magugu. Courtesy Thebe Magugu

“Getting the message from Natalie [Kingham, buying director at MatchesFashion] that she was considering me to be part of the Matches Innovator programme was such an honour,” Magugu tells me.

“Natalie and I go back. She was one of the judges for the International Fashion Showcase in London. She was so interested in what I was doing, so it’s sort of a full circle,” he adds.

It is worth noting that Magugu won the 2019 International Fashion Showcase prize so convincingly that the judges, including Kingham, hailed him as a “leader of his generation”. Now he has been reunited with Kingham for the Innovators Programme, as part of which 12 emerging fashion labels receive backing, support and mentorship from MatchesFashion experts, and are given space on the online platform. Yet, despite so many accolades, Magugu remains disarmingly grounded, and deeply appreciative of the power of learning directly from experts.

Magugu’s designs delve into the footnotes of history. Courtesy Thebe Magugu

“I am based in Johannesburg, so I am quite far from fashion in that sense, so in the past it has been quite a struggle. I went to a fashion school here that was great in terms of creativity, but it didn’t really delve into the buying process or other facets of the industry. But the biggest blessing in my life was meeting people along the way who have acted as mentors to me, and taken the time to teach me. I am really grateful for that.”

A sense of learning runs through his collections, which, despite at first glance appearing stripped back and simple, are brimming with artful tailoring and sparse patterning that reflect hours of meticulous research on topics that hover on the fringes of society.

“I feel a lot of history runs the risk of being forgotten, because it is in the margins. So I make it a point to try to read as much as possible about obscure South African history that not a lot of people know about. I think people understand the big things that come out of South Africa, such as Nelson Mandela and apartheid, but there are so many footnotes that get forgotten,” he explains.

Magugu is a finalist for the International Woolmark Prize 2021. Courtesy Thebe Magugu

One such footnote inspired his spring 2020 collection. Entitled Prosopography, it was inspired by the Black Sash movement that was founded in 1955 in protest to apartheid. As well as wearing black sashes, the all-female movement would conduct what they called “hauntings”, and would stand in silent vigil against pro-segregation figures. This is echoed in the collection as ghostly images of distorted patterning, running across impeccably cut clothes in vivid red and denim blue.

Magugu even tracked down former members of the movement to record their story. “I tried to reach out to the ones who are still alive today, so essentially I can document what they have done. And I love doing that, because, as much as it is about educating others, it is about educating myself as well.”

Thebe Magugu’s spring / summer 2021 collection. Courtesy Thebe Magugu

For his spring/summer 2021 collection, called Counter Intelligence, he looked to the South African female spies who had worked on both sides of the apartheid regime. Again, he sought out the characters involved, using those interviews as the basis for his entire collection. Filled with subtle blink-and-you’ll-miss-it details, there is a small zig-zag pattern based on a polygraph test, a shirt covered in written testament, and even a polka dot that turns out, on closer inspection, to be a fingerprint. The men’s pieces are in muddy olives and teals, and come with discreetly mismatched buttons.

This cerebral approach is what sets Magugu apart and it runs alongside a deeper thread in his work: the idea that one person can make a difference. He himself is committed to empowering and enriching his wider community.

I think all of us were questioning our contribution to fashion, and certainly in the past, fashion could get away with being fashion for fashion’s sake

And yet, just like everyone else, he has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, with stores around the world shutting down even as he was shipping his collections to them. “That was a hit, certainly, but I just feel my values have been calibrated even further.

“I think all of us were questioning our contribution to fashion, and certainly in the past, fashion could get away with being fashion for fashion’s sake” he says. ” But with the pandemic, we are all starting to think: ‘How has this bettered the community? What value is in this product?’

“I have always been obsessed with the idea of education, because I know what it does for a community. I am from a very small town and I have seen what a lack of education can do to a society. I have seen the effects of poverty and HIV quite close up,” he tells me.

A look from Thebe Magugu’s spring/summer 2021 collection. Courtesy Thebe Magugu

Now in a position to be collaborating with large, established companies, Magugu is using this platform to help uplift others. “There are so many wonderful opportunities that have come my way, but I have to sift through and really veer towards the ones that are in line with what I want to create, while empowering whoever is involved,” he explains.

Case in point, at the start of 2021, Magugu was invited to take part in the Lucky Charms exhibition at Bon Marché in Paris, for which he enlisted regional handworkers. “We sent thousands of embroidered flowers to Paris, done by the women in Ladysmith, which is a very small town.” In December, he teamed up with Adidas in South Africa to create a protective face mask based on a traditional tablecloth print, which was given out for free.

“Masks are not accessible to certain parts of the community in South Africa, so that’s what I mean by purpose-driven projects. Things that contribute over and above the actual product.

“My overall mission is to create a brand that is based in South Africa and very strong here, but with roots all over the world, to show people that it is possible to have localised manufacturing in places that are not known for that. It is quite a mission and very ambitious, but I really feel it can be done.

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Queens’ Hub Hosts International Women’s Day Summit in Houston

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3 weeks ago

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March 4, 2025

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As International Women’s Day quickly approaches in 2025, the world is witnessing a dynamic shift as women take their rightful place at the forefront of industries, economies, and governance. The Queens’ Hub (TQH) — a groundbreaking global platform designed to equip and position frontline women to drive economic transformation, build wealth, and establish lasting legacies. To mark its official launch, TQH will host an exclusive International Women’s Day (IWD) Summit on Saturday, March 8th, from 11 AM until 3 PM at the Royal Sonesta Hotel (2222 West Loop South) in the Galleria area. This event will gather some of the most influential women across business, technology, policy, and enterprise for an experience to inspire, empower, and activate the next generation of female leaders.

A Bold Mission to Shape Economies and Influence Leadership

At its core, The Queens’ Hub is not just another leadership network—it is a strategic force committed to shaping economies by empowering the women who drive them. Through high-impact mentorship, executive coaching, wealth-building initiatives, and exclusive leadership forums, TQH is pioneering a future where women don’t just participate in industries but dominate and transform them.

“Our mission is clear—equip women with the strategies, networks, and resources needed to rise to the highest levels of leadership, wealth, and influence,” says Deborah Umoren, Founder of The Queens’ Hub. “We are not just celebrating women’s achievements; we are building an infrastructure that ensures their continuous ascent across every sphere of influence.”

Deborah is a visionary entrepreneur and transformation strategist committed to unlocking the full potential of high-impact women. With a background in leadership development, business transformation, and governance, she has cultivated a platform that serves as both a launching pad and a stronghold for women who are ready to operate at the highest levels of power and prestige.

The Premier International Women’s Day Summit

The premier IWD event will convene an elite gathering of women leaders, executives, and change-makers. Hosted by Ivy Okoro, the event will include a variety of keynote presentations and panel discussions. Along with Deborah, presenters for the summit include Temitope Okeseeyin and Lola Oyewumi.

Attendees will experience:

  •  High-Level Leadership Conversations – Fireside chats, panel discussions, and keynote speeches featuring toptier industry leaders.
  •  Wealth & Influence Strategies – Exclusive insights on building generational wealth, scaling enterprises, and commanding presence in high-stakes environments.
  •  Elite Networking & Collaboration – A carefully curated space for powerful women to connect, partner, and access to opportunities that propel them to the next level.
  •  Industry-Specific Breakout Sessions – Deep dives into business, technology, governance, and enterprise leadership led by experts at the pinnacle of their fields.
  • A Call to Action: Join the Movement

The Queens’ Hub is more than an initiative—it is a paradigm shift. As industries, governments, and economies navigate transformation, women must not only be present but also lead the charge. For partnership, sponsorship, media inquiries, or to secure a seat at this premier event, please contact Deborah Umoren directly at (346) 332-4175, or email TQH at thequeenshubworld@gmail.com.

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Porsha Williams’ Nigerian-Born Ex, Simon Guobadia Detained by ICE Amid Mass Deportations

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1 month ago

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February 21, 2025

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Porsha Williams ’ estranged husband, Simon Guobadia , has been detained by ICE, Us Weekly can confirm.

Guobadia, who was born in Nigeria, is currently being held at Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, according to U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s records, obtained by Us on Friday, February 21.

His status is listed as “in ICE custody,” meaning he is being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (The detainment comes amid President Donald Trump ’s mass deportation plan, which he signed into effect earlier this year after taking the Oval Office. Under the order, illegal immigrants could be deported back to their home countries.)

Guobadia, 60, came from Nigeria to the United States in 1982 and allegedly overstayed his visa and was declared deportable in 1985, according to Atlanta’s WSB-TV 2 . Guobadia returned to America in 1986 and once again overstayed his work visa.

He was arrested in 1987 and pleaded guilty to bank and credit card fraud. Guobadia was later arrested two more times and deported back to Nigeria in 1992.

Guobadia was able to return to the U.S. one month later, according to the news station, which reported on Friday that he applied for naturalization in 2016. However, Guobadia was denied by the U.S. government.

In February 2024, Guobadia made headlines again when the Atlanta Black Star reported that he had been repeatedly denied residency in the U.S. At the time, Guobadia seemed unbothered by his citizen status.

“Happy Tuesday to all who ever overcame and persevered in life. You are winning👌🏾👌🏾#42yearsLivinginAmerica,” he wrote via Instagram in February 2024, sharing a photo smoking a cigar and riding on a golf cart in Georgia.

Days later Williams, 43, filed for divorce after being married to Guobadia for 15 months. The pair tied the knot in November 2022 after getting engaged in May 2021.

Us reported in November 2024 that Williams was awarded “temporary, sole and exclusive possession, use and occupancy” of her and Guobadia’s shared residence in Georgia, meaning she could still film The Real Housewives of Atlanta .

The order included permission for Williams to have the “unrestricted right to film and produce television, film or social media” content on the premises. The docs obtained by Us also stated that Guobadia shall “execute any and all documents necessary to facilitate.”

Williams and Guobadia signed a prenuptial agreement prior to their wedding, but their divorce is ongoing.

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African American

Voletta Wallace, mother of Notorious B.I.G., dead at 72

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1 month ago

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February 21, 2025

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Voletta Wallace, the mother of hip-hop legend Notorious B.I.G., is dead at 72.

According to TMZ, the first to report the news from a county coroner in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, Wallace was in hospice care and died of natural causes.

Since her famous rapper son, real name Christopher Wallace, was fatally shot in 1997, Voletta dedicated her life to carrying on her son’s legacy and solving his unsolved murder. She was also hands-on in overseeing and growing his estate, which was estimated to be worth around $10 million around the time of his death and has since grown to be worth roughly $160 million.

In 2020, Voletta celebrated her son’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “Today, I’m feeling great,” she told Billboard at the time.

“As a mother, I’m extremely proud of his accomplishments. You know, I still see such a young man at a young age, and sadly, he’s not here to witness all this. But it’s an astute honor, and as a mother, I’m just elated for that.”

“Many of [his songs] speak truth,” she continued of Biggie. “It might be gritty, and maybe the language is so out there, but he was honest. There was nothing fake about what he was doing. I think for such a young man to resonate such honesty in his lyrics is awesome.”

Angela Bassett immortalized the mother in the 2009 film about her son, “Notorious,” in which she also served as a producer.

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