How Sarah Langa and Phupho Gumede caused a stir in Paris with cheeky fashion choices

In the city of lights, South African style icons Sarah Langa and Phupho Gumede made their mark at distinct events, but not everyone online was feeling their looks.

Langa and Gumede were both in Paris for high-profile events, but their looks sparked more raised eyebrows than praise from netizens.

The pictures, which they both posted on their respective Instagram accounts, were shared by gossip blogger Musa Khawula on X and have since been met with a lot of blunt opinions.

The three-time Wits graduate attended “The Business of Fashion” 500 Gala on September 4, in a custom Ashluxe black gown that leaned into a sleek, rib-knit silhouette and featured a gold, metallised “Ashluxe” detail down the centre of her back. 

The event is known for its mix of high fashion and business acumen, bringing together top designers, entrepreneurs, and influencers.

The gown she wore was cut very low at the rear, exposing much of her lower back and sitting just slightly below the top of her buttocks. 

She styled her hair in a messy bun updo, finishing it off with gold bangles to accessorise and black slingback heels with a touch of gold at the tip.

The back reveal became the focus of the comment section, one X user commented: “Was the theme ‘show your butt crack’?”  This comes after a picture of Gumede was also making rounds on the timeline.

Meanwhile, Gumede, who attended the Coperni show at Paris Fashion Week, wore a custom denim two-piece suit by Mayhem Couture. The denim pants featured a large heart-shaped cut-out at the back right over his buttocks. 

As if that was not enough to drop everyone’s jaw, the stylist’s jeans featured an Eiffel Tower charm that was hanging right in the middle of his buttocks. 

The unconventional detail immediately had netizens buzzing online, with some calling it “nasty” and others applauding him for pushing boundaries.

One Instagram user @symphaniengelbrecht wrote: “I’m sorry but this has to be one of the most nastiest things I’ve seen today 🚶‍➡️ nothing is iconic bout this.”

While @_julia_elle was completely living for the look, commenting: “Gagggggggged!!! 🔥.”

Both outfits quickly went viral and had social media buzzing with netizens discussing the line between bold and overexposed lies when it comes to modern fashion. 

In the world of fashion, it’s all about conversation and Langa and Gumede definitely got people talking and heads turning.