There are many distinct images of Nelson Mandela that are embedded in our memories. From his long walk to freedom to his boxing days, the former president is an icon no-one can quite forget. Among these memories are the vibrant Madiba shirts that many reminiscence as his biggest contribution to fashion.

Continuing the Nobel Prize winner’s legacy, the House of Mandela has launched their latest collection at the Turin Fashion Week, Italy. Titled The Struggle Series, the streetwear-inspired collection features designs originally created by the late legend.

The House of Mandela takes on the symbolism behind the power of hands as powerful tools that can hurt or heal. “I created the collection because I am the person who is most interested in fashion in the family,” says his granddaughter Tukwini Mandela.

The hands not only carry the theme of the collection but also connect to the social unrest on a global scale, something Tukwini relayed to her grandfather’s legacy. “Most fashion comes from the streets, most designers are inspired by what the youth of today wear on those streets,” she says, adding that this message of unity will run through all collection.

The monochromatic colours and silhouette in the collection draws its inspiration from Xhosa traditional attire featured throughout.

In line with today’s demands for brands that are gender inclusive, Tukwini aligns with the belief that the individual should be expressive with their fashion in what they choose to wear. “Gender fluidity is about wearing whatever you want. So, we don’t create a collection with the idea that it is for men or for women – we create a collection and if someone identifies with that then that is what they will wear.”

With many South African women being curvy, the brand also took sizing into consideration of SA body types that average size 36.