I was in Cape Town this past weekend - or more specifically Villiersdorp in an apple orchard for a cousin’s wedding…it was a gorgeous family filled affair with lots of colour and quirky touches. What really got me thinking though were the gorgeous touches of Shweshwe. The bride conceptualised the wedding from the cold climes of the Orkney Islands (even farther north than Scotland!) From the succulents planted in recycled tins covered in different designs to the individually covered ‘pumps’ worn by the bridesmaids, the happiness of these bold prints gave the wedding a truly African flair. Originally printed in shades of indigo, Shweshwe fabric is now manufactured in a variety of colours and printing designs characterised by intricate geometric patterns. Due to its timeless popularity, Shweshwe has been described as the denim or tartan of South Africa.
