Soweto Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026 is set to take place from November 5 to 7 at the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani. The event celebrates the creative energy of Soweto, a vibrant cultural powerhouse. This year's event brings together established names and emerging designers, offering a platform for local talent to shine. Among the designers taking to the runway on November 7 is Wanda Baloyi, a South African singer-songwriter.
Wanda Baloyi is adding fashion designer to her CV with Wanda Wear, a womenswear label characterised by flowing silhouettes and relaxed elegance. Her designs celebrate femininity without sacrificing comfort and are inspired by her Mozambican heritage and the women in her life. This will be Baloyi's second appearance at Soweto Fashion Week, and she's introducing an original signature print to give her growing label a more distinctive identity.
The collection, called "In Full Bloom", represents a season of change and features beautiful, bright colours. The launch of the print signals a stronger identity for Wanda Wear. Baloyi's designs are multicultural, reflecting her Mozambican and South African heritage. She's inspired by the climate of both countries, travel, the beach, and water. Her goal is to create pieces that speak to women, celebrating their softness, strength, shape, and flow.
Each piece in the collection is named after a woman, and Baloyi's mother, grandmother, and sister have had a significant influence on her designs. Her mother is her biggest inspiration, and she launched the brand for selfish reasons, wanting to look a specific way. However, as the business grew, she realised she had to consider what other women might like, thinking of different personalities.
Baloyi's understanding of womanhood, confidence, and style has changed over time. Her style has become simpler and quieter, focusing on quality, comfort, design, and fabric. Her customers are between 30 and 60, and she prioritises coolness and breathable fabrics. She's learned that a person with good taste is not loud, but rather understated and elegant.
The fashion industry has taught Baloyi the importance of having systems in place, including the right infrastructure, resources, quality control, and choosing the right people to work with. She finds that there's more creativity in fashion because she has to constantly bring out something new to survive. Soweto Fashion Week is an important platform for homegrown talent, and Baloyi is honoured to be invited back.
Showing at Soweto Fashion Week opens doors to amazing opportunities, both locally and globally, and gives Baloyi the opportunity for collaborations. She believes that Wanda Wear has given her a sense of purpose and proved that she can do more than just music. The event provides a great stage to showcase her creativity, and she's super excited to be a part of it.
Key points
- Wanda Baloyi to showcase her Wanda Wear collection at Soweto Fashion Week on November 7.
- The collection, "In Full Bloom", features a new signature print and celebrates femininity and comfort.
- Baloyi's designs are inspired by her Mozambican heritage and the women in her life.
