South African fashion brand Earth Age wowed audiences with its eco-friendly designs at Dior Men’s Summer 2025 show in Paris. The brand partnered with renowned designers and milliners to showcase the vibrant and unique aspects of Cape Town’s craft sector, including distinct Helix beaded bucket hat designs that represent Earth Age’s sustainable ethos. The event marked an inventive amalgamation of craft traditions from two unique cultures, French and South African, and shone a spotlight on local crochet artists and their superb craftsmanship. It also demonstrated the importance of incorporating art and sustainable practices into the fashion industry.
Earth Age: South African Fashion Label Shines on Dior’s Paris Runway
Discover how Earth Age, a South African fashion brand, captured the world’s attention with its eco-friendly designs at Dior Men’s Summer 2025 show in Paris. The label’s core team partnered with renowned fashion designer Kim Jones Studio and esteemed milliner Stephen Jones to showcase the vibrant and unique aspects of Cape Town’s craft sector, including distinct Helix beaded bucket hat designs that represent the sustainable ethos that Earth Age holds dear. This event marked an inventive amalgamation of craft traditions from two unique cultures – French and South African – delicately intertwined.
Fashion continuously evolves with new innovation and fresh creativity, where aesthetics, style, and craftsmanship interweave. The recent highlight of this dynamic sphere is Earth Age, a brand originating from Cape Town, which has managed to captivate the global audience by introducing its unique, eco-friendly style on the high-fashion platform of Dior Men’s Summer 2025 show in Paris.
Spotlight on Local Artistry
Nestled within South Africa’s bustling metropolitan, Earth Age shines a spotlight on local crochet artists, offering them a stage to display their skills and passion. The label’s core team, consisting of Amy Kunz, Ashley Wagner, and Elektra Georgiadis, has played a pivotal role in bringing the superb craftsmanship from their local environment to an esteemed international fashion gathering.
The Dior event, held in the scenic environs of Paris’ Val-de-Grâce, was a grand display of varied craft customs. Earth Age, in partnership with renowned fashion designer Kim Jones Studio and esteemed milliner Stephen Jones, introduced the vibrant and unique aspects of Cape Town’s craft sector to the global fashion scene through their distinct earth-kind bucket hat designs.
These bucket hats, woven from natural cotton and hemp, represent the sustainable ethos that Earth Age holds dear. The hats, with their unique Helix beaded brim, are a collaborative spin on the brand’s signature style, showcased in vibrant green and a range of blues. As per Dior’s official communication, “These hats are the crowning glory of the collection.”
Fusion of Cultures and Craftsmanship
This association marked an inventive amalgamation of craft traditions from two unique cultures – French and South African, delicately intertwined. Beads crafted by Yann Petillaut in Paris adorned these hats, signifying an exquisite mix of South African handiwork and Parisian sophistication.
An added dimension to this creative landscape was the inclusion of esteemed South African artist Hylton Nel’s work at the event. His large-scale animal illustrations, predominantly cats, introduced a lighthearted aspect to the show. The 83-year-old artist, celebrated for his distinctive artistic expression, maintains a particular fondness for feline forms. He opines that while human figures can be confrontational, a cat’s form presents a subtler yet captivating means of conveying his artistic message.
Art Meets Fashion
Kim Jones, the designer behind the show, acknowledged Nel’s work as a source of inspiration. Emphasizing the importance of incorporating these ‘ceramic giants’ into the fashion scene, Jones valued the playful touch they infused into the runway.
Nel’s reaction to his artwork serving as an inspiration for Jones was one of delight, expressing, “For me, it was just marvellous to see what he has made from it.” This sentiment resonates with the beautiful conversation between art, fashion, and crafts, thereby creating a sensory feast for viewers.
Beyond a Fashion Statement
In conclusion, Earth Age’s presence on Dior’s Paris runway transcends mere fashion trends. It signifies a global acknowledgment of local craftsmanship, sustainable practices, and the strength of artistic partnerships. It encapsulates the essence of Cape Town’s crafters and offers them a platform to express their creativity on a global scale, marking a significant step in both the brand’s journey and that of the local crafts community.
1. What is Earth Age?
Earth Age is a South African fashion brand that focuses on eco-friendly designs.
2. What did Earth Age showcase at Dior Men’s Summer 2025 show in Paris?
Earth Age showcased the vibrant and unique aspects of Cape Town’s craft sector, including distinct Helix beaded bucket hat designs that represent the sustainable ethos that Earth Age holds dear.
3. What is the significance of Earth Age’s partnership with Kim Jones Studio and Stephen Jones?
This partnership marked an inventive amalgamation of craft traditions from two unique cultures – French and South African, delicately intertwined. Jones Studio and Jones helped to showcase the craftsmanship and creativity of Earth Age’s designs.
4. Who else was featured at the Dior Men’s Summer 2025 show?
Esteemed South African artist Hylton Nel’s large-scale animal illustrations were featured at the event, giving a lighthearted touch to the show.
5. What is the significance of Earth Age’s presence on Dior’s Paris runway?
Earth Age’s presence on Dior’s Paris runway signifies a global acknowledgment of local craftsmanship, sustainable practices, and the strength of artistic partnerships. It offers local crafters a platform to express their creativity on a global scale and marks a significant step in the brand’s journey and that of the local crafts community.
6. What is the sustainable ethos that Earth Age holds dear?
Earth Age’s sustainable ethos is represented in their distinct Helix beaded bucket hat designs, which are woven from natural cotton and hemp. These eco-friendly designs showcase the importance of incorporating sustainable practices into the fashion industry.
