Last August we spoke to designer, creative director and founder of Sash South Africa, Sakhile Cebekulu, about the second iteration of their collection Phola Park, ‘Sunday Best’. Now the multidisciplinary brand based in Johannesburg has announced the third and concluding chapter to the Phola Park trilogy, namely ‘Sunset’. 

This collection captures the essence of a South African sunset, weaving together themes of love, healing, and music through an evolving colour palette and considered craftsmanship. 

The Phola Park journey began with the eponymous first collection, celebrating

everyday joy and nostalgia, about which Sakhile shared, “It is multi-layered and explores various notions and thoughts. The initial idea was inspired by images from my mothers photo album of her with friends and family in the 90s in parks enjoying life, joyful and relaxed. The images captured a sense of peace and calm, seeing black joy and love invoked in my head.” It continued with Phola Park Sunday Best, which reimagined the cultural significance of dressing up for special moments. Now, Phola Park Sunset marks a poignant farewell—an ode to the golden hour, where warm hues transition into the earthy tones of dusk.

Inspired by the natural transition of day into dusk, Phola Park Sunset is a meditation on warmth, nostalgia, and the passage of time. The collection’s colour palette mirrors the hues of a South African sunset, shifting from the bright optimism of canary yellows and golden mustards to the fiery depth of burnt oranges, before settling into the grounding, earthy tones of deep greens and rich browns. Each shade is carefully chosen to evoke the changing light, from the brilliance of the afternoon sun to the quiet glow of twilight.

Signature elements return, tying together the trilogy’s narrative— Phola Park artwork, intricate embroidery, and the striking Lion’s Tail motif, all woven into contemporary silhouettes, emphasising Sash South Africa’s signature blend of contemporary tailoring, artistic prints, and elevated everyday wear. 

This instalment features 24 looks—12 menswear and 12 womenswear—ranging from semi-tailored jackets and structured suiting to fluid skirts and utility-inspired workwear. Key pieces include the Lions Tail Ringer T-Shirt, a vibrant nod to summer optimism, and the Phola Park Wide-Leg Utility Pants, designed for effortless movement and impact. The collection also revisits familiar motifs such as the Phola Park Printed Semi-Tailored Jacket and the Pleated Midi Skirt, celebrating storytelling through fabric and form.

“We wanted to close this chapter with a collection that feels like a moment suspended in time—the last light of day before night falls,” says Creative Director Sakhile Cebekhulu. “This is both a reflection and an evolution of what Phola Park has meant to us.” Shot against a striking yet intimate backdrop, the Phola Park Sunset look book embodies the narrative of the collection—where colour, light, and emotion shift in harmony.

Imagery credits:

Creative Direction: Sakhile Cebekhulu

Photography: Simba Takaedza

Styling: Mpumi Mdunge

Models: Wesley Takaedza & Teisha Santos

Makeup: Bongiwe Ngondo

Lighting & Digi Tech: Jimmy Moloto & Sibusiso Kgokane

Retouching: Lesedi Goulanka

Set Assistance: Nina Peterson, Desne Peterson, Kabelo Moukangwe

Phola Park Sunset is available now at Sash South Africa’s webstore.

Learn more about Sash South Africa here or read the CEC article here

Press release courtesy of Sash South Africa