Rising to the top: Thula Sindi launches second AfricaRise concept store

The fashion world has irrevocably changed, and designers are being faced with the challenge of creating new and innovative ways of presenting their designs and maintaining revenue streams. Renowned fashion designer Thula Sindi is doing just this by launching his second concept store called AfricaRise that showcases local designers and handmade African products.

Sindi’s second store will feature established and well-known South African designers like Ephymol, David Tlale, Maria McCloy, Imprint, and Ephymol, Rubicon. The store will also feature designs by emerging designers such as Ezekhetho, Nguni Brand, and Siyavuya Roqoza, introducing them to the public, and supporting the local fashion industry.

Sindi’s first concept store by the same name opened in Sandton City in October 2019 and reflected his vision of bringing African fashion designers and brands to the fore by placing them within the top retail spaces in South Africa.

“The second Africa Rise is a tourist attraction store, where people from outside the country and people in the city can interact with African-made garments and fine arts,” he said.

Humble beginnings for Sindi

Thula Sindi was born in Klerksdorp, in the North West province of South Africa and first realised his love for fine arts at a young age, which quickly turned into a passion for fashion. After graduating from the National School of the Arts in 2001, he moved to Johannesburg and went on to study at LISOF (London International School of Fashion).

Sindi landed his first job the day after he graduated as head designer at Dutch textile company Vlisco. After presenting a collection under Vlisco at South African fashion week in 2005, he began to develop his brand and range, which hit the runways at the 2006 South African Fashion Week a year later.

He was a semi-finalist at the Nederburg Rare Fashion Finds contest in the same year, launching him onto the national fashion scene in fine form where has been ranked in the top tier of South African fashion designers ever since.  

Going global

Sindi caters to South Africa’s high-end fashion set with clients like Azania Mosaka, Liezel Van der Westhuizen, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, and Penny Lebyane. He also garnered international fame when Elle magazine reported that the Williams sisters — Serena and Venus — were allegedly caught fighting over a Thula Sindi skirt in a luxury boutique in Parkhurst during a recent trip to South Africa.

Promoting local fashion

Thula Sindi wants his second concept store, AfricaRise to allow fashion-lovers easier access to established and emerging local designers. Tagged as “Let’s make magic together”, Sindi hopes the store will showcase the potential and endless possibilities that Africa has and cultivate an appetite for African-designed products.

“Africa’s potential has always existed, and all I want is for us to show the world what we are good at,” said Sindi.

Local designers that will share the space are thrilled with the concept and excited that AfricaRise will offer access to broader markets, distribution, and ultimately the growth of their brand.

Afro-chic designer Maria McCloy of the McCloy label believes that that innovative spaces like AfricaRise will help her brand grow.

“My designs have always been available on markets, but as a designer, I was at a point where I needed to be in a store in a mall and as much as there are fashion weeks, a lot of designers can’t afford a stand-alone store in a mall,” she said.

“AfricaRise is a big deal. I had so much fun creating my area in the store. The decor represents my vintage, modern, traditional, global, and fun pan African aesthetics.”

The new concept store opens on 7 August and will feature several spaces showcasing local designer’s pieces, as well as a range of home décor, fine art, a curated selection of books, DVDs, and music, and a selection of children’s items and accessories.