Confections & Collections. Where fashion meets the art of indulgence

There are few things quite as irresistible as the combination of beautiful fashion, exquisite confections and a setting that feels like a world of its own. This November, Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town returns with the 5th edition of Confections X Collections – an event that brings together the allure of style and the pleasure of indulgence in one of the city’s most distinguished settings.

Set against the timeless elegance of the beloved pink-hued hotel, the occasion promises an atmosphere where creativity, craftsmanship and a love for the finer things in life take centre stage. It is the kind of experience that speaks to those who appreciate the details: a beautifully curated collection, an artfully presented sweet treat and the effortless glamour of an afternoon spent somewhere extraordinary.

A setting made for sophisticated indulgence

Few Cape Town destinations carry the same sense of occasion as the Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel. Known for its distinctive pink exterior, lush gardens and old-world charm, the hotel has long been synonymous with gracious hospitality and timeless luxury.

Its elegant surroundings make it a natural setting for an event that celebrates both fashion and the art of living beautifully. From the moment guests arrive, the atmosphere invites them to slow down, take in their surroundings and enjoy an experience that feels thoughtfully considered.

Here, luxury is not simply about what you wear or where you go. It is about how an experience makes you feel — the pleasure of discovering something new, the beauty of a well-crafted detail and the enjoyment of sharing it with others.

Where slow fashion meets sweet artistry

At the heart of Confections x Collections (CxC) is a refreshing approach to fashion that places meaning, heritage and craftsmanship alongside aesthetics. The annual showcase, co-curated with sustainability-focused platform Twyg, celebrates contemporary African designers who are reimagining luxury through considered design, cultural storytelling and artisanal techniques.

Rather than a conventional runway presentation, the event offers an intimate, salon-style experience, allowing guests to appreciate the garments up close and engage with the ideas and values behind each collection.

It is an important reminder that fashion can be more than a seasonal trend or a beautiful outfit. It can preserve cultural identity, honour traditional skills and give a new generation of African creatives a platform to tell their stories.

From thoughtful fabric choices to intricate details and innovative silhouettes, the focus is on the artistry behind the finished piece — and the hands, histories and ideas that bring it to life.

A feast for the eyes — and the palate

The experience pairs the fashion presentations with bespoke sweet creations inspired by the designers and their collections. Mount Nelson’s celebrated afternoon tea becomes part of the creative conversation, with the pastry team translating elements of the fashion into edible works of art.

Think of it as a meeting of two crafts – the precision of a beautifully constructed garment and the delicate artistry of a carefully composed confection. Both require imagination, patience and an appreciation for detail.

This interplay between fashion and food is what makes CxC distinctive. The collections are not simply presented alongside a luxurious menu; the two experiences are thoughtfully connected, encouraging guests to appreciate creativity through different senses.

It is an invitation to savour the moment, whether through the texture of a fabric, the detail of a design or the flavours of an exquisite afternoon tea.

Celebrating the next chapter of African luxury

What makes Confections x Collections particularly compelling is its commitment to celebrating African creativity on its own terms.

The designers featured in previous editions have included celebrated names such as Thebe Magugu and Laduma Ngxokolo, whose work demonstrates how cultural heritage can inform contemporary design without losing its sense of individuality.

This celebration of local and continental talent also speaks to a broader shift in the fashion industry. Increasingly, luxury is being redefined through the quality of craftsmanship, the longevity of a piece and the story it carries, rather than simply its label or price tag.

Slow fashion encourages a more considered relationship with clothing: buying with intention, valuing the work behind each garment and investing in pieces that hold meaning beyond a single season.

By placing these ideas in the spotlight, CxC offers guests an opportunity to discover designers whose work challenges conventional ideas of luxury while showcasing the depth and diversity of African design.

The 2026 edition: A wonderland in bloom

The fifth edition of Confections x Collections takes place from 5 to 7 November 2026, with the hotel’s iconic gardens inspiring this year’s botanical theme. Four designers will explore the relationship between nature, heritage and craftsmanship through their collections.

The 2026 designer line-up includes:

Sevaria by Jamie Kimani

Founded by Nairobi-based Jamie Kimani, Sevaria approaches fashion as a vehicle for retelling East African stories on their own terms. Blending tailoring with fluid drapery, designs draw on Kenyan cultural histories, spirituality and Kimani’s own experiences. The label combines an instinctively androgynous point of view, with references spanning Maasai, Samburu, Dinka and Surma cultures, translating traditional markings, handwoven textiles and craft into expressive, gender-fluid collections.

Kimani sources discarded fabrics from second-hand markets, including Nairobi’s Gikomba, and transforms them into distinctive pieces. His weaving has combined cotton with reclaimed polypropylene bags, while metal chain detailing reinterprets the rhythm and weight of Maasai adornment. A participant in the British Fashion Council’s Creative DNA programme, Kimani has increasingly emerged as a distinctive voice in contemporary
African fashion.

Haus of Stone by Danayi Madondo

Haus of Stone is a Zimbabwean fashion brand founded by designer, textile artist and visual storyteller Danayi Madondo. Based in Harare, the label combines handcraft with an imaginative engagement with Zimbabwean culture. Its name draws on the Shona phrase behind “Zimbabwe,” meaning stone buildings, reflecting Madondo’s desire to represent her country through a contemporary fashion language.

Describing herself as a “fashion alchemist”, Madondo explores memory, spirituality and handcraft through her label, Haus of Stone. She treats clothes as an archive capable of carrying histories, while working with slow, regenerative methods and richly tactile textures. Texture is central, honouring the hands, time and knowledge behind each piece. Through the British Council’s Creative DNA programmes, the brand has shown at London Fashion Week and the Intra-African Trade Fair in Egypt. Madondo was a keynote speaker at Africa Textile Talks in 2025.

Wanda Lephoto

Wanda Lephoto returns to CxC for a third time, having first showcased in 2023. Based in Johannesburg, Lephoto is one of the leading designers in the country. His work brings African cultural knowledge into conversation with contemporary tailoring, using research, memory and spirituality to shape an understanding of luxury. Lephoto sees clothing as inheritance: something worn, cared for and eventually passed on. This link between cultural sustainability and each garment’s material life encourages lasting relationships with what we wear. His pieces become treasured collectibles, while the stories behind each collection interrogate South Africa’s history and his own.

Drawing on family photographs, church dress, street culture and the visual codes of everyday South Africa, Lephoto creates clothing that resists a singular idea of ‘African’ design. Co-founder of the influential creative collective The Sartists, he has garnered significant international recognition.

The botanical theme feels especially fitting for the Mount Nelson, where mature trees, manicured lawns and winding garden paths create a setting that feels worlds away from the city’s bustle. Here, the natural landscape becomes more than a backdrop; it forms part of the creative narrative.

The accompanying afternoon tea will also take inspiration from the collections, bringing the event’s fashion and culinary elements together once again.

An experience worth dressing up for

Confections x Collections is a reminder that some of the most memorable luxury experiences are those that bring different creative worlds together.

It celebrates fashion without losing sight of its cultural significance, elevates afternoon tea into an artistic experience and creates space for meaningful conversations about the future of African design.

For fashion enthusiasts, it offers an opportunity to discover emerging ideas and established creative voices. For those who appreciate fine food, it promises a more imaginative take on one of Cape Town’s most beloved traditions. And for anyone who enjoys an occasion that feels both considered and beautifully executed, the appeal is undeniable.

Ultimately, the event is about appreciating the things that take time to make well. A garment shaped by skilled hands, a confection crafted with precision and an experience designed to be savoured all share the same underlying philosophy: true luxury lies in the details.

At the Mount Nelson, those details come together in a celebration of fashion, flavour and African artistry — a sweet reminder that creativity is always worth celebrating.

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Featured Image: Supplied