In honour of Heritage Month, proudly South African retailer Ackermans is giving its customers across all age groups a chance to celebrate what it means to be African through its latest offering.
Available from September 2019, the African-inspired offering includes flare-shaped dresses, calf-length skirts and fashionable mandarin shirts that come with a matching trouser set.
African-inspired girls and boys t-shirts designed by the Style Squad All-Stars; previous winners of Ackermans’ young fashion designer competition, will also be available in-store.
“We wanted to provide our customers with an affordable, contemporary collection that would invoke a sense of patriotism and pride. Through our consumer research, we identified that our customer wanted to see a cost-effective, versatile and trendy take on traditional wear, with a cotton-based fabric similar to the popular Shweshwe fabric,” says Raynard Potgieter, Buying Director at Ackermans.
African-inspired collection
The African-inspired range is made from 100% cotton and features various print options. The prints come in exciting and diverse patterns, reflecting the melting pot of cultures in South Africa. The collection will be available in 60 selected stores across the country and starts from R149,95 up to R349.95 across the age groups.
Womenswear, Younger & Older Girls
The collection is suitable for all age groups; the range features pieces such as wrap skirts, body vests with cute frill designs for women and girls, and comfortable party dresses featuring tulle and mesh detail for toddlers.
”The wrap skirts have a traditional flare, with pockets and a wide waistband to contour the tummy. For girls who are not keen on wearing body vests and dresses, we have trendy dungarees that can be layered with any t-shirt or top,” says Potgieter.
Younger & Older Boys
Boys can look forward to fashionable mandarin shirts that come with a matching trouser set.
“The shirt features a placket detail and is slightly longer, as per the traditional shirt. It has African-inspired fabric insets and contrast detail. Buttons enhance the theme,” adds Potgieter.
All shirts can be paired with comfortable, pull-on elasticated pants that have trendy tape detail on the sides, with functional entry pockets. The pants can be worn as a set or separately.
Style Squad All-Star Collection
The All-Star range features six t-shirts designed by five previous winners of Ackermans’ young fashion designer competition, Style Squad. The t-shirts are R49,95 each and are available at all stores across all borders.
“The colours and designs featured in the range are a reflection of each young designer’s interpretation of what Heritage Day means to them,” says Tanya Ruiters, Marketing Specialist at Ackermans.
Style Squad sees South Africa’s most stylish kids aged between 9 – 15 years old complete various design-related activities, that tests their creativity and fashion knowledge, for a chance to design their own range.
“As a South African retailer, we are passionate about providing our customers across all age groups with the opportunity to celebrate what it means to be African. In addition, we are also greatly invested in the development of this country and its people, through the communities in which we operate,” Ruiters concludes.
