The afro is back — and Nomalanga Shozi took it to Paris. The South African broadcaster, MC, actress and model was at the Palais Brongniart at the invitation of H&M for the global celebration of its forthcoming ELIE SAAB collaboration. The occasion marked the beginning of a new fashion chapter for Shozi, with a personal style statement at its centre: the return of her signature afro and a ready-to-wear era made for the spotlight.
Hand-picked to travel to the French capital for the occasion, Shozi wore a silver-toned sequined mesh midi dress from the H&M Studio collection, featuring a softly draped cowl neckline, delicate shoulder straps and a floral-embroidered hem, ahead of the ELIE SAAB H&M collection’s South African launch on 22 October.
“People have been asking me to bring back my afro for years, and I’ve been keeping mum about it. Paris, with H&M, felt like the perfect moment to bring her back. It’s a familiar look, but I’m wearing it as the woman I am now — young, happy and bolder than ever before,” said Shozi.
That spirit runs through her current approach, where fashion is as much an expression of how she wants to feel as how she wants to look. It connects naturally with H&M’s belief that great design belongs to everyone — bringing glamour within reach of more people.
The ELIE SAAB H&M collection brings the house’s signature glamour to womenswear, menswear and accessories, including footwear. Embellished gowns, shimmering separates and sharply cut tailoring feature alongside fine lace, gradient sequins and signature monograms, translating the house’s distinctive occasion dressing into a collection designed for a wider audience.
Through #LifeOfAStar, her personal behind-the-scenes social media series, Nomalanga is taking her community, The Flames, into her Paris experience — from getting ready and stepping out to the outfit details, atmosphere, anticipation and glamour in between.
The Paris visit follows Shozi’s recent hosting of the L’Oréal Paris Biggest Makeup Masterclass in Johannesburg – no stranger to international red carpets, Shozi attended London Fashion Week last year and has hosted runway shows for leading fashion brands, and has also taken her presenting career onto international stages, including the BET Awards and the MTV EMAs in London.
The ELIE SAAB H&M collection launches in South Africa on 22 October at H&M Sandton City, H&M V&A Waterfront and online through Superbalist.
Follow Nomalanga’s journey on Instagram and TikTok
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