Reigning Miss Supranational South Africa, Lebo Raputsoe, made a dazzling debut in the Mother City, merging fashion, culture, and performance in a couture showcase that captured the spirit of modern South African glamour.
The editorial, shot at the sleek O’Two Boutique Hotel with its panoramic ocean views and striking contemporary interiors, framed Raputsoe in a series of haute couture looks styled by Stephen van Eeden. The creative vision was directed by Style Curator, Shoot & Creative Director, Mervin Marvey, with photography by Dylan Louw.
The highlight was a silver diamante mesh and tinsel-fringe jacket — an elaborate yet sleek creation that Raputsoe also wore to the opening night of Chicago – The Musical. The moment bridged two worlds she loves: high fashion and theatre. “Theatre and fashion share the same language of storytelling,” Raputsoe told Glamour. “Wearing Stephen’s design to such an iconic performance in Cape Town was unforgettable — it brought together everything I love about culture, artistry, and South Africa.”
Van Eeden explained that his approach began with the woman herself, “Lebohang embodies confidence, elegance, and grace. I wanted the designs to reflect strength and glamour while staying true to her authenticity. Couture should empower, not just adorn.”
For Marvey, the shoot was about translating that empowerment into imagery: “Lebo is classy, graceful, soft yet playful. I wanted Cape Town’s luxury to serve as a canvas, but for the garments — and Lebo — to tell the real story. With Dylan behind the lens, we created something intimate, yet bold and iconic.”
Though her fashion moments dazzled, Raputsoe’s reign continues to be rooted in purpose and progress. Through her nonprofit work, The ABC Community Network, she drives sustainable education initiatives — from literacy programmes to school gardens — while also pursuing academic and professional work in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). She also serves as Creative Director for ICFK, overseeing visual strategy and brand identity, while pursuing academic studies focused on organizational impact. Looking ahead, she’s eager to expand her work in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) — fields she believes are essential to shaping a more inclusive future.
“I want my reign to be about action, not just aesthetics,” she said. “Fashion can tell a story, but impact comes from using your voice and influence to open doors for others.”
From Van Eeden’s couture craftsmanship to Louw’s lens, Marvey’s direction, and the elegance of O’Two Boutique Hotel, the project celebrated the creative pulse of Cape Town. And for Miss Supranational South Africa, it reinforced the nation’s standing not only in global pageantry but also on the frontlines of fashion, artistry, and culture.
“Small steps lead to great results,” Raputsoe reflected. “This was one of those moments where everything — fashion, theatre, storytelling — came together in perfect harmony.”
