The wonderful world of glittering fabrics or striking silhouettes may seem like a shadow of a fashion past. But that’s no excuse to drop your love for occasionwear just because you are stuck indoors. While her aim was not to quench the famine of beauty that has plagued the retail industry, Nicole Ncube has, instead, started her own fashion brand, Ascend Label, to keep the spirit of fashion alive.
Ncube had wanted to enter the fashion industry as a model, having grown up with an impassioned love for the world of glamour.
She then held onto the idea of starting her own brand, until she met luxury accessory designer Inga Gubeka of Inga Atelier. Now her mentor, the designer inspired Ncube to take the leap into creating a luxury athleisure brand and become the muse for the name.
“We couldn’t think of a name but all I kept saying was that I wanted something that would ascend gradually and he thought that would be a great name,” says Ncube.
The sharp and bold cuts capture the individualistic air that Ncube aims to create through her garments.
Keeping it youthful, the collection features bold prints and flowy garments that capture the comfort we all need in our more casual lockdown lives.
“Most streetwear brands that are out there have the same thing with T-shirts and shorts that all look the same, and Ascend Label pops out because it takes a different direction to what people are used to.”
The elements of Ncube’s considered garments are captured through the muses she looked to when creating Ascend Label, including noted fashion maven Yasmin Furmie.
“My biggest wish is that people will start to understand luxury in SA. Most people don’t understand the prices because of the fabrics we source, the detail and the time put into each garment,” says Ncube.
See more of the latest from Ascend Label on Instagram or on their official site at ascendlabel.com.
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