6 March 2025 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Discover Sanele Qwabe’s Latest Art and Collectibles at Archive’s A/W25 Launch
Archive Collective is set to bring art, culture, and fashion together at its upcoming First Thursday event on 6 March 2025. The event will celebrate the work of South African artist and toy-maker Sanele Qwabe as part of the second edition of the Archive Artist Project. Qwabe’s Kind Kid brand is known for its nostalgic, storytelling-driven collectibles, and this special exhibition will coincide with the launch of Archive’s A/W25 collection, ‘Imagination Meets Creation,’ at its flagship store in Bree Street, Cape Town.
Exploring Nostalgia Through Art and Fashion
The First Thursday event will offer a unique experience where attendees can immerse themselves in Qwabe’s vision. His work taps into the power of nostalgia, using art and collectible toys to explore childhood memories, identity, and cultural storytelling.
“Nostalgia, to me, is a gateway that connects moments across time. It invites reflection on how a sound, a place, or an object can act as a time capsule, offering a vivid experience of the past… In this way, these moments have a way of forcing the child within us to surface, reminding us of our roots and how far we’ve come.”
– Sanele Qwabe
Guests will also have the exclusive opportunity to purchase the new A/W25 collection alongside limited-edition Kind Kid collectibles inspired by the season’s Pantone colours.
Archive A/W25: ‘Imagination Meets Creation’
Archive’s latest collection is a fusion of classic silhouettes with updated paisley prints, creating ready-to-wear essentials that blend timeless aesthetics with contemporary streetwear. As part of the collaboration, Kind Kid has designed four limited-edition toys that complement the apparel.
An Artistic and Interactive Experience
The in-store exhibition will transform Archive’s flagship into a dynamic art space, featuring:
- A life-size Kind Kid figure as a centerpiece
- Exclusive collectible toy sales, offering fans a chance to own Qwabe’s work
- A panel discussion between Sanele Qwabe and Anelisa Mangcu, hosted at the Café Counter
- An audience Q&A session, where guests can engage with Sanele about his creative journey and inspirations
Meet Sanele Qwabe: The Visionary Behind Kind Kid
Sanele Qwabe, a 29-year-old designer from Richards Bay, has turned his passion for art, nostalgia, and storytelling into a brand that resonates deeply with collectors and street culture enthusiasts. A graduate of Information Design from the University of Pretoria, Qwabe uses his expertise to craft artifacts that reflect identity, memory, and imagination.
His work has gained international recognition, including exhibitions at:
- Art Square Gallery, Saint Petersburg, Russia (2024)
- Good Neighbours x Capitec Handmade AFRICA, Nirox Sculpture Park, South Africa (2024)
Archive’s Artist Project: Elevating Local Talent
The Archive Artist Project is an initiative designed to showcase and uplift South African creatives by turning retail spaces into cultural galleries. By blending art with commerce, Archive is committed to providing local talent with visibility on both national and international stages.
About Archive Collective
Archive is more than a sneaker and streetwear store—it’s a creative hub where culture, fashion, and community converge. By bridging the gap between local talent and global heritage, Archive continues to redefine how art and commerce interact in South Africa.