Siphosihle Masango to dress Mzansi’s celebs in show-stopping couture at the Hollywoodbets Durban July

Fashion label Masango by Siphosihle is gearing up for the Hollywoodbets Durban July where he will be dressing a few of Mzansi’s famous faces. 

Designer Siphosihle Masango has built a strong reputation for executing couture wear and making A-listers stand out on red carpet or major events.

The Hollywoodbets Durban July is one of the country's premium lifestyle events and a platform for designers to showcase their work. 

Masango by Siphosihle will be dressing award-winning digital creator Mihlali Ndamase, reality TV star and DJ Gogo Skhotheni, celebrity stylist Phupho Gumede, DJ and YouTuber Cyan Boujee and Digital content creator Doro Mongy. 

Speaking to IOL Lifestyle, Masango gave a glimpse of working with the celebrities, to execute their visions for the Marvels of Mzansi theme.

He candidly expressed how working with each celebrity has been an absolute joy, from the very first brief. “There’s been a real sense of trust of them handing me a blank canvas, and of us building a look together.”

When it comes to building a look, Masango takes a dive deep into their individual tastes and asks: What makes them feel invincible and then pairs that with his design signature.

“The energy in our fittings, when something clicks and they see themselves transformed, is what I live for.”

When it comes to creating a look for a celebrity several factors matter from impact to comfort and for Masango it’s always about balancing everything.

“Impact comes from a signature silhouette or a moment of unexpected detail, a sculptural sleeve, an under-lit hem. But I’ll never sacrifice the wearer’s ease: if they can’t move, mingle or enjoy the day, the look fails its purpose. 

“I marry structure with stretch panels, breathable liners and carefully placed vents. The final goal is confidence: when they feel effortless, that confidence radiates and makes the look sing.”

This year’s theme, “Marvels of Mzansi,” sets the stage for a vibrant celebration of South Africa’s cultural richness and breathtaking landscapes. Inviting attendees to dive deep into the soul of the country and express its marvels through bold, creative fashion.

“Mzansi is a treasure trove; its landscapes, textures, ancestral motifs,” says Masango.

For one of his muses, he has channelled nomadic soil hues and abstract macrame embroidery; for another it was the vibrant Ndebele print reimagined into futuristic tailoring. 

“My approach is always two-fold: anchor the design in an instantly recognisable South African marvel, then twist it to reflect that client’s personal flair, be it avant-garde drama or quiet elegance.”

Creating looks for his clients for HollywoodBets Durban July began three months ago, which he says in fashion time feels like just enough space to dream big without losing momentum.

An in-depth one-on-one concept call over Zoom or in his Johannesburg studio, gets the ball rolling. During this session Masango tasks each client to bring everything from childhood mementos to travel photos, favourite art pieces or even a single line of poetry that speaks to them.

“From that conversation I curated bespoke mood boards in Miro, pulling together colour stories, tonal palettes and fabric swatches that nod both to the ‘Marvels of Mzansi’ theme and the client’s personal DNA. 

“Within two weeks  we refine those concepts, pinning down the core visual idea for their look; say, an abstract take on Sepedi Culture or a play on vibrant Ndebele prints.”

Once concepts are pinned down then it’s sketching silhouettes and draping miniature muslin prototypes. His studio runs like a well oiled machine, with everyone understanding their role, with team huddles held Monday mornings to track progress, address bottlenecks and celebrate small wins.

“That means our pattern makers know exactly when to turn a sketch into a full-scale prototype, and our master tailors can schedule fittings without any last-minute rush.

“To keep everyone (clients and team) in sync, we host weekly check-ins where I share progress reports with our muses, solicit feedback and iterate immediately. If a client falls in love with a particular hand-embroidered accent or decides they want a hidden pocket for their phone, we can pivot in real time.”

Smooth logistics not only mean no double bookings but also create a genuine creative synergy. “Nobody feels sidelined, and every look emerges as a fully realised collaboration rather than a solo act.”

If a client was to approach Masango just days away from the event they might not get a custom piece with all the tralalala’s but that doesn't mean they will be turned away.

“Realistically, three weeks before the event is the unofficial cut-off for a full custom couture piece. Anything after that, I steer clients toward elevated off-the-rack solutions and rapid, hand-finished embellishments, so they still feel bespoke without compromising quality.”

Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse is a large venue with a 2,800 metre pear-shaped turf track and 22 VIP marquees and hospitality venues and cameras are clicking everywhere.

For the designer, he looks at the scale of the event in a positive light and uses the pressure to push himself creatively and he won’t settle for “good enough”.

“Scale means choreography: there’s the catwalk of arrivals, the midday sun, the breeze off the track, all factors that influence fabric choice, silhouette strength and even dye stability. 

“And yes, the cameras are unforgiving; I feel the responsibility to create something that not only looks flawless in person but also photographs beautifully from every angle.”

The Hollywoodbets Durban July is internationally acknowledged as Africa's Greatest Horseracing Event, with thousands of people coming to Durban from across the country and Africa just to witness the event.

The outfits worn cause as much of a stir as the horses and land Mzansi’s favourites on the best and worst lists, creating buzz and engagement on social media and one wants to be memorable.

“At the Durban July you’re not just wearing clothes you’re embodying a narrative,” said Masango.

A memorable Durban July outfit has several elements to it; storytelling, the craftsmanship and even drama.

“The craftsmanship gives that story credibility; the drama gives it gravity; and when every detail points back to a core idea, be it heritage, a personal milestone or a playful twist, you create a moment people will talk about long after the final race. 

“When elegance, emotion and excellence converge, that’s a Durban July look that lives on.”

As the Hollywoodbets Durban July draws closer, all eyes will be on the stars Masango has dressed. Whether they land on the best- or worst-dressed lists will be up to Mzansi’s fashion police, but one thing’s certain: every look will have a story worth telling.

IOL Lifestyle