Words: Sitha Kentane
Discover the magic of this multi-disciplinarian as he launches yet another venture
With a career that ignited after being crowned the winner of ELLE’s Style Reporter in 2012, Trevor Stuurman has intricately woven his name into the tapestry of global fashion and culture. His remarkable feats include capturing moments with the illustrious Barack Obama and collaborating with the Beyoncé-endorsed design house, Tongoro. The ascendancy of Stuurman in the creative realms is nothing short of meteoric.
At the pinnacle of South Africa’s fashion week allure, a snapshot by a street-style photographer became the coveted badge of honour. It affirmed one’s style prowess and sartorial elegance. To find oneself within the glossy pages of magazines or splashed across reputable fashion websites was an aspiration for many style aficionados. Regrettably, as the glitz and glamour of fashion magazines waned in the country, so did the fervour for being recognised among the fashion elite. However, this very passion is being reignited and championed by the man who, many would argue, ignited it in the first place.
Trevor’s upbringing, while humble, was imbued with a keen sense of aesthetics and a deep appreciation for South African culture. Growing up in the vibrant streets of Kimberley, he was exposed to a melange of traditional and contemporary styles. This, in many ways, shaped his unique perspective – a blend of homage to roots and an embrace of global trends.
Stuurman, with his ever-evolving artistic spirit, remains unyielding in pushing the boundaries of creativity. “I feel that storytelling is the most potent tool that we have,” Trevor expressed in an evocative interview with Time Magazine. And, he’s substantiating this belief through his recent venture, Manor Africa. Envisioned as a living chronicle, this platform houses an assortment of Trevor’s projects. In addition, it serves as an archive, preserving street-style snapshots from some of South Africa’s most anticipated cultural events. Most recently, his Sunday Lunch event held at the prestigious art district, Keyes Art Mile in Rosebank.
In a world where fashion often flits from one trend to another, Trevor Stuurman stands as a testament to authentic storytelling and genuine artistic endeavour. As the Manor so poignantly reveals, street style is making a come-back with the local fashion, design, and art elite waiting in line to be captured by Stuurman’s lens. His journey, from the buzzing lanes of Kimberley to the high-fashion streets of Paris and New York, reflects not just personal growth but the evolution of South African street style on the global stage.
In essence, Trevor Stuurman isn’t just capturing moments; he’s reigniting a lost era and in doing so, crafting legacies, and reminding us of the transformative power of style and substance. Visit The Manor to discover more.
Image credit: Trevor Stuurman, The Manor
