Fashion Designer Liz Ngwane Reveals Her Stunning Heritage Collection

’Tis the season to be jolly, and fashion designer Liz Ngwane of Margo’s Mode is back with another collection just in time for the holidays. The HotJem previously featured one of Liz’s collections, which quickly became one of the most viewed posts that week.

Trained as an engineer, Liz is also a designer who puts a great deal of thought and meaning into the collections she creates, often drawing inspiration from African culture, history and identity. This time, she is back with the Heritage Collection, a visually striking holiday collection featuring a variety of African prints, bold colors and flattering silhouettes.

According to Liz, the collection was inspired by Africa’s cultural, historical, social and geological heritage. She explained that the goal was to promote African prints in the workplace while creating pieces that flatter different body types and celebrate the richness, color and diversity of Africa. The collection also plays with texture and draws inspiration from African sources of strength and identity.

The Heritage Collection is made up of six themes, including The Esang Dress, The Sawa Dress, The Diamond Dress, Femme and Dumanic, with each design carrying its own style and meaning.

One thing is clear: Liz Ngwane continues to show that African print can be bold, stylish and versatile. And with collections like this, she may just have earned herself a spot on The HotJem’s list of designers to keep an eye on.

The “Esang” Dress

Inspired by Korup National Park, Esang means “peace” in the Bakossi language of Cameroon, where designer Liz Ngwane’s roots are from. The peaceful beauty and geographic landscape of Korup National Park inspired the design of the dress. The openings in the dress represent bridges, while the floral Ankara print symbolizes the park’s lush green vegetation. Together, these elements represent peace and connection among the people who visit the park.

The “Sawa” Dress

The Sawa generally refers to the coastal peoples of Cameroon, including groups such as the Douala, Bakweri and Bakossi. The Sawa dress features an A-line skirt and a wrapped top inspired by traditional loincloths and clothing worn by fishermen along the East African coast. The skirt is embellished with beads that represent the bright, glistening eyes of fish in the sea.

The “Diamond” Dress

The Diamond Skirt is inspired by the Case Obus, an ancient architectural style found in northern Cameroon and traditionally associated with titled Muslim leaders. The front of the skirt draws inspiration from the structure of the Case Obus and represents four important areas of life: family, social life, professional life and relationships. The fabric was also carefully chosen for its openwork design, which reflects the distinctive openings found in the architecture.

Femme

Femme, meaning “woman,” is inspired by a time when women were traditionally expected to remain in the home, with the kitchen often considered their primary place of work. The dress reflects that history by presenting the woman as a chief, symbolizing her humility while also recognizing her importance and strength.

Dunamic

Dunamic is a Hebrew name meaning “strength” or “power.” The shirt is inspired by African men who traditionally put great care and effort into weaving beautiful fabrics and creating unique prints. The design aims to bring African prints into the workplace in a modern and stylish way. The long-sleeved shirt features buttons and a Mandarin collar.

^{For  more collections by Liz Ngwane, follow her fashion brand, Margo’s Mode, on Facebook.}