Johannesburg, 20 February 2025 – As African Bank celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, it is making an audacious statement on the global stage, taking African fashion to the Milan and Paris Fashion Week in March. Under the banner Africa to the World, and the World to Africa, African Bank has partnered with renowned fashion house Khosi Nkosi to launch the Legacy Collection in Milan and the Frontline Collection in Paris. These bespoke collections were inspired by African Bank’s corporate identity and fashion’s house spirit of African innovation.
At African Bank, the belief that fashion is not just clothing, but serves to shape confidence and perception, has driven a transformation in its design DNA says Sbusiso Kumalo, African Bank’s Group Chief Marketing Officer: “What we wear ultimately affects our confidence, our stance and how we’re perceived. When you walk into a room, you are judged on appearance before you even speak. Our shift to African prints and designs is a powerful statement of self-celebration and pride.”
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This vision is reflected in the new Legacy and Frontline collections, which integrate African aesthetics into contemporary styles. Designed to celebrate diversity, these collections offer interchangeable capsule pieces blending summer and winter elements, ensuring durability, comfort and versatility across different body shapes, sizes and ages.
Milan Fashion Week, a pinnacle of global fashion, sets the perfect stage for the unveiling of the Legacy Collection at the iconic Villa Erba in Lake Como on March 1. Known for hosting Dior’s exclusive presentations, this breathtaking venue will serve as the backdrop for African Bank’s first-ever international fashion showcase. The collection will pay homage to the era of the 1960s, drawing parallels between the tenacity of African Bank’s early beginnings and the resilience that defines its journey today.
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Kumalo says: “The Legacy Collection represents the power of belief in African excellence. We are proud to stand alongside the Khosi Nkosi fashion house, a brand that epitomises the very essence of empowerment and innovation.”
At Shangri-La Hotel in Paris on March 9, the Frontline Collection – the African Bank staff uniform collection – will elevate everyday excellence, proving that daily attire can be both stylish and meaningful. Edna Montse, African Bank”s Group Executive: Transformation & Sustainability, says: “To see our uniform collection embraced at Paris Fashion Week is something truly extraordinary. It speaks volumes about the audacity of African Bank – not only as a financial institution but as a brand that dares to redefine the norms. This is a moment of pride, not just for us, but for every African who dares to dream.”
This collection, featuring Ankara prints, knitwear inspired by West Africa and adaptable styles for both men and women, infuses banking attire with warmth, vibrancy and an unmistakable African flair. A key feature of the collection is the head wrap accessory, which enhances the African aesthetic, along with costume jewellery and specially curated white sneakers to ensure all-day comfort for African Bank’s frontline ambassadors.
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At the heart of this bold venture is the remarkable growth story of Khosi Nkosi. Just less than year ago, the fashion house walked into African Bank’s premises with a small team of four. Today, her team has burgeoned to 40 people and the brand is making an indelible mark on the fashion industry.
With inspiration drawn from the African Bank brand style guide, the team worked with Nobukhosi & Thabo to integrate three of the eleven graphics from the corporate identity into fabric designs. The collections utilise knitwear and custom palettes drawn directly from African Bank’s logo, fusing brand and attire.
“This journey has been nothing short of transformative. This is what can happen when businesses truly invest in local talent. The world is about to see the richness of African creativity and craftsmanship,” says Nobukhosi & Thabo.
Beyond its impact on fashion, the partnership is in line with African Bank’s commitment to supporting small businesses and driving economic transformation. By investing in local designers, African Bank is ensuring that African talent is not just recognised locally but is celebrated globally.
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“African Bank’s purpose has always been clear: we back people. Whether in business, finance or creativity, we exist to uplift and empower. By taking this collection to the global stage, we are reaffirming our role in shaping a future where African talent stands tall alongside the world’s best,” says Montse.
This initiative marks the first time a financial institution has leveraged fashion as a vehicle for storytelling and empowerment on such a prestigious international platform. The visibility of African Bank at Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks is set to ignite conversations around brand evolution in banking: “This is bigger than just fashion; it’s about legacy, about shifting perceptions and about demonstrating that African excellence knows no bounds. We are not just showing clothes – we are showcasing a movement,” adds Kumalo.
“This is a celebration of belief, a tribute to resilience and a defining moment in the bank’s 50-year journey of backing people and possibilities.”
