Rich Mnisi

Founded in 2015, RICH MNISI is the eponymous multi-disciplinary brand established by South African designer Rich Mnisi. Catapulted to national fame for winning the AFI Young Designer of the Year award in 2014, the Mnisi uses his work to explore the notion of heritage, as well as the heritage of others that are engraved upon the heart of the African continent, drawing inspiration from its existing modern-day cultures to tell unique stories of the past, present and future. Through these sources of creativity, Mnisi has developed an aesthetic which is bold yet minimalist, modern yet wearable. His unique pieces craft an authentic picture of contemporary Africa, relying on the designer’s signature gender-fluid style to guide each design.

Named a winner of 2020’s Vogue Italia Scouting for Africa initiative, Mnisi was awarded the opportunity to present his SS‘21 collection at Milan Fashion Week. With other accolades under his belt, including being nominated for Designer of the Year at South Africa Fashion Week in 2017, Mnisi has also grabbed the attention of both local and international media including ELLE, WWD, Financial Times Weekend, Vogue China and Vogue Italia, the latter naming him one of South Africa’s foremost emerging designers in 2016 and praising his work’s “modern fluidity, youthfulness, and 90’s minimalism that draws on both the treasures of Africa and pop culture to reinforce the brands creative aesthetic.”