Capital Fashion
By Louiggi Júnior
“Fashion has a lot to do with dreaming, but I'm not a dreamer! My philosophy is the inclusion of the ordinary in fashion trends”
The subtle creations of Mwhandro Mangoba, a designer of reserved personality, reflect his belief in the beauty of what he affectionately calls Djele, Back to N'tima, Sura Yako, Baco experience. The son of Alexandre Xandrique Jossai Magos and Joaquina Maria António, a dressmaker, he was born in Maputo, where he lives. Following his collections, he was awarded a stand at Maputo fashion week in 2016.
Both Mwhandro's womenswear and menswear are based on the ancestry and modernity of life, which does not mean they can be labelled as ordinary. On the contrary, the designer subverts everyday clothing by using the commonplace as a source of inspiration. In the pieces bearing his signature, characterised by a palpable aura of calm and control, you will find elaborate printwork, elastic in formal trousers, flared shirts and, at times, belted ones, among other offerings. The same materials are used for men and women, but the women's lines suggest a certain austerity, and the men's, a soft character. In this way, Mwhandro manages to achieve an unbalanced balance.
Mwhandro Mangoba presents his collections in Maputo, where he is known for putting on extraordinary shows, and his individual pieces and collections are sold to shops in more than 30 countries around the world, with Europe one of his most important markets.
