Street style photography is a trend that has taken the world by storm. It’s all about creative self-expression, celebrating both culture and individuality. When we embrace street style photography we re-imagine urban life and transform cityscapes into free-for-all runways.
There are few places in the world that express this notion better than South Africa. Youthful fashion enthusiasts are taking to the streets (and virtual spaces) to showcase their vibrant styles. Join us as we examine a few of the fresh-faced entrepreneurs who are making their names in the South African fashion industry today.
Lebogang Thlako
One photographer and blogger making her mark is Lebogang Thlako. In an age of digital media, Thlako shoots on film – but her images are undeniably contemporary. She captures locals in bright, bold outfits, ranging from savvy fashionistas to rough-and-tumblr kids.
On her blog, BORROWEDFROMTHEBOYZ, she states that:
“Film photography is to me what the LBD is to fashion.”
Tsvi Karp
Tzvi Karp is a daring fashion designer with over 4000 followers on his instagram, which showcases his eclectic outfits in a street environment. He describes himself as Sikh Punk. He’s heavily influenced by Sikhism, the Club Kid movement and pop culture. His traditional turban is often combined with mesh tops and neon braids in his beard.
In an interview with South Africa’s 10and5 he shares his thoughts regarding the social applications of fashion design:
“As a conceptual designer I feel duty-bound to utilise fashion far beyond its perceived notion of a disposable commodity. I want to use fashion to get people thinking within a broader context of what they are seeing and as a result create a dialogue about fashion.”
Chris Saunders
Johannes-based fashion photographer Chris Saunders works on the cutting edge of street style photography, crossing international borders to collaborate with like-minded artists. His latest exhibition is NOT x Chris Saunders, a collaboration with New York-based fashion designer Jenny Lai.
NOT X CHRIS SAUNDERS from Chris Saunders on Vimeo.
His work features busy urban landscapes, with models posed in front of puddles, tin sheds and concrete skyscrapers. His images don’t ask for attention – they command it.
Itumeleng and Tumi Nko
Twin fashion bloggers and photographers Itumeleng and Tumi Nko embrace a hybrid style of grunge and hipster. Their blogging habits recently scored them a campaign with Levi’s. Their search for great photography spots often puts them in lopsided-looking landscapes, on uneasy walkways, in front of dilapidated buildings and beside almost-broken basketball hoops. Their photographs are both a celebration of fashion and a celebration of space.
On their blog the twins share their belief that:
“Art is the most intense mode of individualism and fashion is the charisma of art.”
ToneSociety
ToneSociety are a style collective with a purpose: to subvert colonial narratives where men of colour are painted as potential criminals and create a space to thrive. Their work is transcendent and pays homage to their heritage. Photographer Imraan Christian of ToneSociety told okayafrica about their goals:
“Instead of attacking the already existing narrative, we are creating a new space in which we feel proud of our heritage and our potential. We are the context for each other to exist and excel within.”
He describes his rocky beginnings in the world of photography and filmmaking:
“I was constantly coming up against what was ‘cool’ or ‘relevant’ as opposed to what I intuitively felt was real.”
Christian and his fellow ToneSociety members recently teamed together to create the photographic series Rise from the Roots.
Cedric Nzaka
Photographer Cedric Nzaka is the founder of Everyday People Stories, an arts blog that regularly features sartorial street photography. Nzaka’s photographs are bright, fresh and summery, often juxtaposing foliage with his models’ streetwear. He makes incredible use of negative space and natural light to give the scenes a relaxed, open atmosphere.
Nontsikelelo Veleko
No article about South African street style photographers would be complete without Nontsikelelo Veleko. Veleko is a pioneer of street style photography in South Africa. Her notable series Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder was exhibited at the International Centre of Photography in New York and attracted attention worldwide. She then went on to exhibit at the Brancolini Grimaldi Arte Contemporanea in Rome and the Centro Atlantico de Arte Mordeno in Las Palmas, Canary Islands. Veleko started photographing local fashionistas as a student at the turn of the millennium.
Jeff Rikhotso
Street style photographer Jeff Rikhotso runs the blog Jeff Loves Photography, where he posts bold fashion photographs characterised by bright colours and dramatic lighting. Doubling as a filmmaker, Rikhotso has collaborated with Bob the Stylist to create the documentarian short film Style Diaries, where youth are asked about their opinions on fashion.
The Local Collective
The Local Collective is comprised of Philia and Tony Gum, a young photography duo who capture life and culture in Cape Town. Regarding their goals, they have said:
“Our objective is to make being South African as desirable as it is to be any other mainstream nationality.”
Their photographs showcase their edgy fashion sense while celebrating Cape Town youth culture.
Anthony Bila
Anthony Bila is the photographer behind The Expressionist, a street style blog that tells a story of solitude in a world of expression. His images feature stark landscapes, old buildings and captivating shadows. The fashion styles become aspects of their respective characters.
Bila has a close relationship with his work. On his blog he tells us:
“I love being creative. The opportunity to express myself is what I treasure most.”
Bila was recently featured in the Intel Inside Out campaign, which focused on his vision and inspirations. He told Intel in the video:
“I don’t ever want to make art to be safe or controversial. I just want it to be honest.”
Street style photography is, by nature, a candid glimpse into everyday life. It is raw yet elegant, simple yet evocative. It is personal, yet in this digital age it has the power to speak to us on a global scale. Through the work of these photographers we can see the culture of urban innovation that has emerged to engage us, inspire us and urge us to embrace our own sense of style.