Award-winning, Kimberly born, fashion designer Thebe Magugu presents a COVID-19 Repellant Coat.
It would not surprise many that one of his most recent designs pertains to fighting the current pandemic through fashion. His groundbreaking innovation has resulted in the production of a garment that claims to kill 99% of viruses that land on its surface, including Covid-19. This Anti-Viral yarn was created locally, in collaboration with Hinterveld SA and Svenmill SA. Both are Eastern Cape-based weaving and knitting companies.
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Soon after its successful completion, he took to Instagram to announce,
“I am so proud of this fabric we developed, not only because it kills 99% of all viruses that land on its surface (tested with Covid-19) but because it has entirely been produced in South Africa. This is the crafted work of hands from so many provinces – Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Gauteng – who have all pushed themselves to create this beautiful cerise tweed”.
He explains to us that the yarns of the fabric can achieve their Anti-Viral properties by way of being dipped in an anti-viral solution that can bond to the fabric for up to 30 washes.
Thebe Magugu also goes onto his Instagram to share that he thinks that, “the idea of feeling protected is so relevant to not only the times we are in but the inspiration of the collection as well, which deals with the changing face of African Spirituality – Ntwasa, 2021,” as a part of his inspiration.
This groundbreaking COVID-19 Repellant Coat innovation in the capability of textiles is just the beginning, in terms of the value that Thebe Magugu provides to the fashion industry. It serves as a small taste of his career’s trajectory, as he makes South Africa more than proud. Thebe Magugu has flung the doors open for South African fashion designers to grab a piece of the pie that is the world stage, and I hope we as the youth take inspiration from him to chase our dreams and to never stop thinking big.
By Linda Madikiza
