ISUZU Luxury Collection: Pleats, partnerships, and fresh perspectives by Black Coffee

ISUZU Motors South Africa is thrilled to announce its collaboration with three influential designers, Fabrice Moyo of Franc Elis, Thando Ntuli of Munkus, and the visionary behind Black Coffee, Jacques Van der Watt. As the anticipation builds for the SA Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2024 collection, this marks ISUZU's second season, following the success of their runway show last year.

In this blog series, we dive into the creative minds of each designer, starting with the illustrious Jacques Van der Watt of Black Coffee. Van der Watt draws inspiration for the ISUZU Luxury Collection from the futuristic renderings of a proposed floating city by international architects in response to climate change. The exploration of these futuristic principles becomes the cornerstone for translating avant-garde design into wearable art.

Collaboration and influence

This marks the second collaboration between Black Coffee and ISUZU, with Van der Watt expressing gratitude for the opportunity. The Japanese origin of ISUZU becomes a pivotal point of inspiration, allowing exploration into the harmonies between ancient Japanese and African aesthetics.

The Black Coffee SS'24 collection delves into the world of pleats, exploring their myriad forms to create commanding and intricate pieces. The overall aesthetic is described as modern and forward-thinking, aligning seamlessly with the ethos of the ISUZU brand.

Sustainability at the core

Sustainability takes centre stage in the design process, with a focus on practicality, reinvention, and regeneration. Black Coffee discards trend-driven seasonality, opting for garments that evolve into collector pieces.

Says Van der Watt, “In this collection, I’m thinking practically about new and old, about reinvention and regeneration.  Black Coffee’s narrative is a continuum from one season to the next. Objects of clothing can become part of the wearers' collection and built on from year to year. Trend-driven seasonality has been discarded in favour of garments that become collector pieces. Selected pieces are made from “dead stock” fabrics and remnants while some are upcycled.”

Overcoming the perennial challenge of time, Van der Watt highlights the meticulous process of creating a pleating mould that took two weeks. The signature avant-garde, sculpture-like designs and the artful fusion of pleats define the unique approach to this collection.

Fresh perspective

Describing the collection as an emotional offering, Black Coffee envisions different characters for each look, maintaining a strongly defined signature for the season. As for the future, Black Coffee remains dedicated to the next season, pouring energy into bringing the best to every creation.

Van der Watt aims to bring a fresh perspective to the South African design narrative, contributing to the industry for over two decades. The collection, a blend of traditional influences and global experiences, seeks to carve a unique space in the broader landscape of South African fashion.

In concluding our conversation with Jacques van der Watt, the Black Coffee collection emerges as a testament to innovation, sustainability, and a commitment to pushing artistic boundaries. Read the full interview on the ISUZU blog site.

Join ISUZU at SA Fashion Week AW24 on Friday, 19 April at Mall of Africa. The show starts at 7pm.

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