JOHANNESBURG — Renowned South African actress and fashion entrepreneur Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa has unveiled the next bold chapter in her design journey with the launch of the Essie Apparel flagship store in Rosebank.
Located at 9 Walters Street, the luxury retail space marks a major milestone for the SAFTA-winning star, who recently scooped the Most Stylish Performing Artist in Film and TV at the 2025 SA Style Awards. Her ambitions have clearly evolved from red carpets to an internationally recognised brand. This expansion follows a period of intense public scrutiny, coming months after she and Black Coffee finalised their divorce.
NOWinSA attended the launch to witness a retail experience that mirrors the Essie Apparel identity—sleek, dramatic, and unapologetically glamorous. The store’s aesthetic blends monochrome black-and-white tones with warm browns and glossy vegan leather finishes. The new store cements the brand’s footprint after years of Essie Apparel dominating SA Fashion Week stages.
Ethical luxury at the Essie Apparel flagship store in Rosebank
In an exclusive chat with NOWinSA, Mbali Enhle shared that the brand intentionally balances high-fashion aesthetics with conscious production. This vision comes to life in the latest Essie Apparel range, which blends bold jackets with chic mix-and-match pieces crafted from premium, cruelty-free materials.
Essie Apparel believes beautiful design shouldn’t compromise on ethics, Mbali explained. “We are committed to ethical sourcing. Our pieces are crafted from high-quality vegan leather, created in facilities that prioritise eco-friendly production and involve absolutely no animal products. We ensure that every piece meets our strict criteria for both environmental integrity and animal kindness.”
Versatile designs at the new Enhle Mbali Rosebank store
The flagship space highlights Mbali’s commitment to longevity and timeless style. Essie Apparel focuses on pieces that allow customers to build a functional yet high-end wardrobe without seasonal limitations.
”Because I’m a down-to-earth person, I always think: what would I want to wear over and over again without people realising it’s the same outfit?” she told NOWinSA. “I like a parallel style—creating separates that you can mix and match in different ways. A woman needs to feel sexy, but still very classy, tasteful, and simplistic. Like I always say, ‘Simply Enhle’—I love the feeling of being simple yet glam at the same time.”
She notes that her inspiration comes from observing the women around her, and essentially the need for a well-functioning wardrope. “We don’t want to be buying new clothes every week; it’s so much better to have a wardrobe that offers endless combinations,” she added.
From Vogue Italia to the global fashion stage
While the Rosebank store serves as a local anchor, Essie Apparel’s influence has long crossed borders. Looking ahead, Mbali Enhle envisions the brand as a staple across the continent.
”I would like to see Essie in Pan-African stores completely, especially in West Africa,” she told NOWinSA. While her focus remains on the continent, her international ambitions continue to gain momentum. “The European dream is still there too—Europe loves my designs, and I receive incredible support from there,” she added.
This international appeal is rooted in a decorated history; in January 2020, Essie Apparel earned a prestigious feature in Vogue Italia following its debut showcase. That same year, the label further solidified its global standing by securing the “Best Designer Collection” award at Fashion Community Week in San Francisco.
The brand’s fashion footprint extends even further back to 2015, when she launched her maternity label, SE Preggoz, in both South Africa and New York City. She also famously co-designed, with design duo Quiteria & George, the high-fashion look worn by Beyoncé for the 2018 Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 concert.
This collaboration remains a classic example of how Beyoncé recognises African designers to showcase local excellence on the global stage.
Building a Pan-African legacy beyond Rosebank
Following the opening weekend, Mbali shared an emotional message with her followers, describing the flagship launch as the fulfilment of a deeply personal dream.
”This weekend a dream that once lived quietly in my heart opened its doors to the world,” she wrote. “Essie Apparel is no longer just an idea, a sketch, or late nights fuelled by faith—it is now a home. A space built with intention, resilience, and so much love.”
She concluded with a tribute to her own perseverance: “To Mbali Enhle, this store is more than fashion. It is legacy. It is courage. It is every ‘keep going’ I whispered to myself when things felt impossible.”
