Right Now with Rich Mnisi
Fashion designer Rich Mnisi’s eponymous brand has grown from strength to strength in recent years, including powerhouse collaborations with Adidas and Coca-Cola, showing at Milan Fashion Week, and branching out into furniture design. We sent some questions Rich’s way to see what he is into right now – and what he’ll be getting up to next.
Tell us a bit about your journey.
Since I was very young, fashion has always been a part of my life. I graduated from fashion school in 2014 before launching my label the following year. My broad design vision is underpinned by an aesthetic and philosophical fluidity, and this is reflected in my approach to both fashion and furniture. We have had an exciting and progressive journey with each RICH MNISI collection presenting a distinct point of view, celebrating culture, heritage, and the common human experience. Collaborations with iconic brands like Adidas, Coca-Cola, Southern Guild and Smiley, to name a few, are a reflection of the brand’s progression.
Where are you right now?
In my office.
What are you wearing right now?
It's a little chilly today, so I'm in my RICH MNISI knitwear set.
What are you listening to right now?
Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’.
What TV shows or movies are you watching right now?
Show: RuPaul's Drag Race
Movies: Triangle of Sadness, Everything Everywhere all at once, the Menu and Ma.
What’s your favourite food to eat right now?
Beef Burgers.
Who or what inspires you right now?
I am inspired by a deep understanding of the power of heritage, community and belonging.
What’s your favourite possession right now?
My new Oppo N2 Flip
What is something that no one knows about you that you’re willing to share?
I enjoy spending time at home. Like I never leave the house unless it's absolutely necessary.
Okay enough about right now… Most people know you mainly as a fashion designer but you make furniture too. Can you tell us a little about that?
In 2018 we made our furniture debut as part of a group show with Southern Guild called Extra Ordinary. Nwa-Mulamula's Chaise and Nwa-Mulamula's Tears are organic shaped pieces that are an extension of my new Nwa-Mulamula fashion collection - a homage to the memory of my late great-grandmother, an ever-present guardian whose teachings have lived on in my family through storytelling, generation after generation. The following year, 2019, my collection of seating, Alkebulan, was featured in a second group show with the gallery, titled Communion. It has been a natural progression from that point leading up to our solo exhibition in 2021 called Nyoka. Nyoka draws on my family history. Like the RICH MNISI fashion collection, Ku Hahama, Nyoka finds its origins in a dream. It has been an exciting new journey being able to express myself through a new medium, and I'm grateful to Southern Guild for guiding me and helping to bring my furniture vision to life.
What are your aspirations?
The Brand is dedicated to keeping my family name alive and that has been my biggest aspiration since its inception.
What’s next for Rich Mnisi?
We are currently working on our F/W23 collection to be presented at Tranoï at Paris Fashion Week. We have a very exciting capsule collection highlighting sustainable fashion in collaboration with Smiley. And, to honour International Pride Month, we have a global Pride campaign that will be announced soon.
Article by: Patrick Visser
Photo Credits:
- Smiley, RICH MNISI JAMES AW 22 and RICH MNISI X ADIDAS shot by Ricardo Simal
- RICH MNISI MAFAMBA YEXE SS22 shot by Zander Opperman
- NYOKA Furniture collection Image credit: courtesy of photographers Hayden Phipps, and some by Christof van der Walt/Southern Guild.