The Absa Champagne in Africa Festival, the continent’s leading celebration of authentic French champagne and luxury culture, unveiled one of its most anticipated creative moments this year. For its 23rd edition, the festival partnered with internationally acclaimed designer Rich Mnisi. Together they created an exclusive fashion capsule that captured the imagination of style lovers across South Africa.
This year marked the festival’s first national expansion to Cape Town. However, it was the Johannesburg showcase that introduced a bold new artistic dimension. Mnisi, known globally for his refined take on African luxury, crafted a bespoke limited edition capsule. It was designed specifically for the 2025 Absa Champagne in Africa Festival.
A Capsule Rooted in African Identity and Luxury
Mnisi’s collaboration delivered a design statement that brought together African expression, minimalist opulence and the timeless heritage of French champagne. The capsule centred on two pieces that instantly became collector favourites.
Guests received a limited edition silk scarf and a matching pocket square, both created as keepsakes. As always with Mnisi’s work, the pieces told a story. Bold symbolism, flowing linework and layered meaning paid homage to the festival’s blend of African creativity and refined European craft.
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“These pieces were not created as accessories. They were created as stories,” Mnisi said. “The festival holds such a unique space in African luxury culture. I wanted the capsule to feel like a bridge between worlds. Contemporary, grounded, expressive and timeless.”
A Cultural Platform for African Creativity
As title sponsor, Absa has shaped the Champagne in Africa Festival into more than a celebration of champagne. It has become a platform that elevates African gastronomy, design, fashion and culture.
Sydney Mbhele, Group Chief Marketing and Corporate Affairs Officer at Absa Group, highlighted the significance of the partnership. “The collaboration with Rich Mnisi represents exactly what the Absa Champagne in Africa Festival stands for. It is a celebration of craft and culture. It is a reminder that African creativity belongs firmly at the centre of global luxury conversations.”
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Curated in partnership with Shaun Anderson, Ambassadeur Dignitaire of L’Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne, the Johannesburg edition welcomed guests into an immersive world. It showcased couture level creativity and over 40 authentic French champagne houses. Mnisi’s capsule quickly became one of the most photographed and discussed features of the night. It was embraced by collectors, stylists, and cultural tastemakers.
Fashion at the Heart of African Luxury
The Absa Champagne in Africa Festival has long been a meeting point between fashion and luxury. This year’s collaboration signalled a deeper commitment to placing African creators at the forefront of global luxury narratives. It also aligned with Absa’s broader ambition to champion African talent and creative entrepreneurship on the world stage.
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With the festival expanding nationally, including a Cape Town edition held on 22 November at the Norval Arts Foundation, the 2025 showcase demonstrated how this fusion of artistry, culture and luxury continues to evolve. The Rich Mnisi collaboration set the tone for a new era of African luxury, one defined by bold vision, world class design and storytelling that resonates far beyond the continent.
