Some designers follow trends. Jacques Lagrange has spent more than two decades proving that real luxury lasts longer than any trend, because it is built by hand, stitch by stitch and bead by bead.

He is known across the industry as South Africa’s “King of Couture.” In October 2026 he took that title to the fashion capital of the world.

A Paris Statement

On 3 October 2026, Lagrange presented his latest collection as an independent showcase at the Fashion Synergy Events Paris Fashion Week Runway Show at Le Salon des Miroirs. It was a defining moment for a designer whose work already has a large international following.

For Lagrange, Paris was more than a runway. It was a chance to place his work in one of the world’s most demanding luxury markets, and to show that exceptional South African design can stand confidently on any stage.

A Study in Black

The collection was entirely black, and it was a study in contrast. Structured tailoring met fluid gowns. Intricate handmade embellishment met clean modern silhouettes. Dramatic texture played against the depth and simplicity of black.

The standout pieces were his embellished bomber jackets: richly detailed, precisely constructed and giving traditional couture techniques a contemporary edge. Next to them, flowing high-end gowns moved with softness and grace.

Texture gave the collection its depth. Ostrich feathers, layered textures and hand-beaded embroidery were worked into modern luxury silhouettes, creating pieces that were tactile, sophisticated and unmistakably his.

At the heart of it all is traditional hand construction. Every garment shows Lagrange’s immaculate attention to detail, from the shape of the silhouette to the placement of each embellishment.

Two South African Voices, One Global Stage

Lagrange also brought another homegrown brand with him to Paris. He partnered with South African footwear label Coast & Koi, whose shoes complemented his sculptural silhouettes. The collaboration put two local creative voices side by side in front of an international audience.

The Critics Respond

The collection was widely acclaimed.

The Sunday Times, reporting from Paris, praised its elegant silhouettes, luxurious fabrics and embellished bomber jackets, and noted the mix of embroidery, beading, ostrich feathers and layered textures. It also singled out the exquisite handmade detail that has become Lagrange’s hallmark.

TimesLIVE, covering South African designers making their mark in Paris, called the bomber jackets the perfect bridge between street style and ultra-luxury couture.

Critics also praised the movement of the collection: generous draping, massive sequins and “clouds of sheer tulle” that created striking volume across the runway.

For a designer with clients across Europe, the United States and the Middle East, the response confirmed what those clients already knew. His craftsmanship meets the standards of the world’s most discerning luxury markets.

Exceptional luxury is created through exceptional craftsmanship.
— the philosophy behind every Jacques Lagrange piece

From Paris, Back Home, and Beyond

After Paris, Lagrange brought the collection home. He was named Official Designer of FAME Week Africa on 29 October 2026, closing Chapter Two: Africa Elevated at Tastes + Threads, the runway celebrating the evolution of African style and the future of African luxury. As the final designer in the Threads of Africa showcase, he shared the chapter with Neimil, GUGUBYGUGU and Viviers.

He was then officially invited to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, for the African Fashion & Arts Awards (AFAA) 2026, 6–8 November, as both a showcasing designer and keynote speaker. There he was set to present the Paris collection and speak about African fashion, design and the growth of the continent’s creative economy.

The collection was made in South Africa, celebrated in Paris and welcomed home, and its journey is still going.

Two Decades of Couture

Lagrange graduated from the Academy of Clothing Technology and began his career under renowned South African couturier Errol Arendz. He launched his own label in Cape Town more than twenty years ago.

Since then his work has appeared on some of the world’s most prestigious red carpets and at major events, including Royal Ascot, Cannes, the Primetime Emmys and the E! People’s Choice Awards. It has been worn by Miss Universe and award-winning South African actress Terry Pheto.

His couture has been featured in Glamour, ELLE and Cosmopolitan, and associated with global luxury names including Cartier, Veuve Clicquot and Lamborghini. His designs have been shown in Paris, Moscow, New York and Amsterdam.

Couture with a Conscience

Lagrange’s influence goes beyond fashion. He has supported UNICEF, WWF and Tygerberg Children’s Hospital. His contribution to South African culture and creative excellence has been recognised with the 2018/2019 Cultural Affairs Award and the 2023 Excellence in SA Award.

The Legacy of the King

Jacques Lagrange’s story is about holding to standards that never slip, whether he is working on a Cape Town commission or showing on a Paris runway. With every collection, he champions South African craftsmanship, raises the profile of African design globally and opens doors for the creative industries on the continent.

The world is taking notice. And the King of Couture is just getting started.

---

Jacques Lagrange will be honoured at the Influential Awards 2026 – Cape Town Edition, Sunday 29 November 2026, Joseph Stone Auditorium, Athlone.