The 2024 #GiveHerACrown South African Showcase put the spotlight on five visionary South African female designers, celebrating their creative power and commitment to women’s empowerment. Hosted at the Jaguar Land Rover Experience Centre on 11 October 2024, the event combined luxury, fashion, and talent, showcasing a range of designs that embodied strength, resilience, and African creativity.
With this year’s theme, “Shifting Perspectives,” inspired by the powerful poetry of spoken word artist Qui Qarre, the showcase highlighted the role of women in reshaping culture and innovation. Through fashion, designers Manthe Ribane, Gugu Peteni, Thando Ntuli, Keneilwe Mothoa, and Tsakani Mashaba expressed narratives of empowerment, resilience, and cultural pride, leaving a profound impact on audiences.
Jaguar’s partnership with #GiveHerACrown stands at the forefront of empowering women within the creative industries, and its involvement in this event reinforces the brand’s commitment to nurturing inclusive innovation. Irene Kakooza, Brand Manager of Jaguar and Range Rover, remarked on the designers’ journey from local talent to global trailblazers, stating: “Their growth embodies the essence of breaking barriers. At Jaguar, we champion innovation and leadership. Through this partnership, we’re proving that when women are empowered, they drive change across industries.”
The #GiveHerACrown campaign, which Jaguar has supported since 2020, is designed to use the arts as a means of changing the narrative around gender equality by amplifying the voices of women—survivors, pioneers, and future generations alike. Jaguar’s involvement also reflects the brand’s vision for an all-electric, modern luxury future within the JLR portfolio, where inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation are core values.
Co-curators of the showcase, Michele Rhoda from ARRCC and Chuks Collins of the African Fashion Council, praised the designers’ creative genius. Rhoda observed that the “Shifting Perspectives” theme resonated deeply in every design, with each piece telling a unique story. “These women are not just designers; they are storytellers shaping a new narrative for African creativity,” she added.
Collins echoed the sentiment, noting that this event was more than a fashion show—it was a bold statement about African fashion’s rightful place on the global stage. “These designers didn’t just present collections; they made a statement about African fashion’s leadership in redefining the industry.”
Proceeds from the designers’ Crown Collection will go towards the Crown Bursary Fund, which has supported 20 young female talents since the inception of the #GiveHerACrown campaign. This fund helps young women pursue their dreams in the design and creative fields, furthering the initiative’s mission to empower the next generation of creatives who will shape Africa’s future.
The 2024 showcase is a reminder of how community, collaboration, and resilience can turn dreams into transformative realities. It serves as a powerful example of how partnerships between luxury brands like Jaguar and initiatives like #GiveHerACrown can create lasting change, not only within industries but across societies as a whole.
Jaguar’s dedication to amplifying women’s voices and celebrating creativity ensures that as the brand drives towards an innovative, sustainable future, it remains deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and empowered global community.
