The piece symbolises peace and unity in South Africa.

Seeing as Heritage Day has recently come and gone, it seems quite fitting that Gert-Johan Coetzee teamed up with Ricoffy to create a new fashion item that celebrates unity and peace in Mzanzi. 

The celebrated local designer decided to collaborate with Ricoffy, one of the most iconic brands in the country, to create a limited-edition bucket hat. The hat features all sorts of slang phrases written all over it and it is made in the yellow colour associated with Ricoffy tins. 

“I wanted a bucket hat that celebrates South Africanness. I started with the print by creating a conversation piece. The print originated from the South African couture collection that I showcased last year. I wanted to create something that you can wear in your head that everybody identifies within a very original way,” said Coetzee in an interview with IOL.

For Coetzee, Heritage Day is a time to reflect on where the country came from and where we are headed. This is exactly why he wanted to join the conversation through his form of art: fashion.

Clothes created by Gert-Johan Coetzee have made the wishlists of many South African shoppers in recent years. Coetzee has worked with the likes of Kelly Rowland, Kristen Cavallari, Kourtney Kardashian, Bonang Matheba, Rolene Strauss, and Minnie Dlamini. He has also said on numerous occasions that he is constantly pushing himself to excel in his craft and to push traditional boundaries in fashion.

The limited-edition bucket hat was unveiled on 23 September, which also marked Ricoffy’s 50th birthday.