The Wild Side of Fashion

From animal-inspired patterns to expressive outerwear, South African designer Nicola West explores the relationship between contemporary fashion and the natural landscape through her label W35T.

A Designer Inspired by Cape Town

Nicola West founded W35T around a distinctive approach to dressing, influenced by the contrasts of her home city, Cape Town.

The city's relationship with its surrounding mountains, coastline and natural environment plays an important role in the creative direction of the label.

West translates these influences into contemporary garments that combine striking shapes with a relaxed approach to dressing.

Her collections explore the relationship between everyday clothing and more expressive fashion, using unusual proportions, textile treatments and individual prints.

Prints Developed by Hand

An important part of W35T's identity is its approach to fabric.

The label sources natural materials, including end-of-run fabrics wherever possible, and develops bespoke prints through hand manipulation.

Working with existing textile resources allows West to experiment with surface treatments while reducing the need for newly produced materials.

The result is a collection in which fabric and construction contribute as much to the design as the silhouette itself.

This approach also reflects the designer's interest in creating clothing with a recognisable individual character.

The Influence of the Wild

Safari-inspired fashion has developed far outside the traditional wardrobe of khaki shirts and practical field jackets.

Animal patterns, textured outerwear, leather accessories and earthy colours have become part of a broader fashion vocabulary.

W35T approaches this connection through its interest in the landscape, natural materials and experimental textile design.

The label offers a contemporary South African perspective on clothing that combines practicality with a more expressive sense of style.

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