Forget the usual glitz and glamour at the Durban July! This year, social media star Jessica van Heerden served up a truly iconic look inspired by something found in almost every South African kitchen!
Durban, South Africa (07 July 2025) – Now, I don’t want to speak for every family, but at some point, many South African kitchens have been the home of the trusted woven plaid-print dish cloth. You know… the white one with the multicoloured lines that you reached for to wipe dishes or clean the kitchen counters, and for some odd reason kept until the threads thinned before your mom would finally replace it, LOL.
Many households still have them today and were the very inspiration behind adored social media influencer Jessica van Heerden’s Durban July outfit over the weekend.
In her unique interpretation of the “Marvel of Mzansi” theme, Jessica shared a video on her social media platforms revealing the two-piece ensemble made from multicoloured fabric that creatively resembled the common dish cloth.
“A Marvel of Mzansi, in every South African home… This makoti made a vadoek fashion today, dishcloth but couture,” she said.
Her husband also wore a matching blazer, and we don’t doubt the pair turned heads at one of the country’s highly anticipated fashion-polo events.
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Other public figures paid homage to the protea, the blue crane, our rich minerals and other proudly South African gems through their stunning outfits.
And if Jessica’s social media is anything to go by, her look was a massive hit with her supporters who appreciated her playful and creative execution of the theme, because let’s face it, this cloth is a Mzansi icon in its own right!
“Ate it up and washed all the dishes! CLEAN JOB,” one fan hilariously commented on her look.
As for our fashion police take: we love it! Here’s to executing themes, having fun while doing it and honouring Mzansi culture too!
Sources: Jessica van Heerden
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