Masango by Siphosihle takes the spotlight at this year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July, dressing an exclusive lineup of top creatives and influencers in looks that channel the soul, splendour, and storytelling of South Africa. We caught up with Mihlali Ndamase, Cyan Boujee, Phupho Gumede-K, Doromongy, and Gogo Skhotheni to unpack the meaning behind their powerful ensembles.
This year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July is more than a fashion spectacle—it’s a cultural moment. With the 2025 theme, Marvels of Mzansi, calling on creatives to explore the beauty, complexity, and pride of South African identity, few designers have answered that call as boldly as Masango by Siphosihle. Known for his intricately crafted storytelling through fashion, Siphosihle Masango has become the go-to designer for some of the country’s biggest names—and this year, his designs are not just outfits, but love letters to lineage, land, and legacy.
From Sepedi spirituality to golden glamour, iconic pop heritage to ancestral mystique, Masango’s pieces honour the many textures of South African life. Here's what his muses had to say ahead of their showstopping appearance at the July...
Doromongy: A Walk Through Legacy
“The marvel isn’t just in the obvious beauty, it’s in the complexity of where we come from.”
For Doromongy, Marvels of Mzansi means going beneath the surface—into the caves, rituals, and ancestral earth that shaped her Sepedi identity. Her two Masango looks are more than visual statements—they’re spiritual artifacts.
On the most exciting element? “Nothing is purely decorative—everything has meaning. Each macramé knot represents memory and lineage. The silk? It glows like the Echo Caves in Limpopo—it carries ancestral energy.”
Why Masango? “Sihle didn’t just design for me, he translated me—into fabric, texture and silhouette.”
What she’s most looking forward to: “That quiet before the reveal—that moment when presence fills the space and you’re seen not just in fashion, but in intention.”
Mihlali Ndamase: Bold, Iconic, Timeless
“This theme is exciting because it reminds us of the iconic fashion moments that have shaped our culture.”
Digital darling and beauty mogul Mihlali Ndamase is channeling power and elegance, drawing inspiration from both Ndebele print and South Africa’s rich gold deposits—marrying the two in a striking custom Masango gown adorned with golden platework.
On the showstopper detail: “It’s the marriage of mineral wealth and artistic heritage. The gold plating honours Mama Esther Mahlangu—absolutely iconic.”
Why Masango? “Sihle listens. He lets me co-create. He doesn’t strip me of direction—he elevates it. That’s timeless fashion.”
What she’s most looking forward to: “The fashion reveals, the bold risks, and seeing who really came to play.”
Phupho Gumede-K: Gilded in Greatness
“Marvels of Mzansi is about the beauty that connects us—across cultures, tribes and borders.”
Stylist and image architect Phupho Gumede-K steps into this year’s event embodying one of the country’s most treasured elements—gold.
The outfit’s highlight? “The waist, obviously! But also this new technique Masango’s trying. It’s next level.”
Why Masango? “This time, he chose me. He called and said, ‘You are gold.’ And I believed him.”
What he’s excited about: “The fashion. The reunions. The industry moments that make it all worthwhile.”
Gogo Skhotheni: Dressed in Power
“I’m showing up as the full expression of who I am—unfiltered, unapologetic, and magical.”
Healer, reality star, and spiritual trailblazer Gogo Skhotheni brings fierce femininity and ancestral strength to the Durban July stage.
What excites her most? “The meaning. Every detail—cut, fabric, accessory—holds a story. It’s elegance with power.”
Her inspiration? “I’ve evolved so much. This outfit reflects my transformation. It’s more than a look—it’s a statement.”
What she’s bringing to the July: “The full show. Fashion. Energy. Magic. And power that refuses to be ignored.”
Masango by Siphosihle isn’t just dressing bodies—he’s dressing histories, dreams, and spirit. At this year’s Durban July, the marvels of Mzansi are walking tall, and the runway has never looked more sacred.
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