On an ordinary Sunday afternoon late last week, Sandton City Mall’s parking lot transformed into a catwalk of audacity and Afro-futurism, courtesy of none other than trans activist and fashion powerhouse Yaya Mavundla. Clad in a show-stopping ensemble by acclaimed South African label Imprint, Yaya didn’t just arrive — she caused traffic, both literal and figurative.
Crowds of shoppers and curious onlookers came to a standstill as the statuesque Mavundla stepped out like a goddess descending from a spaceship — wrapped in a riot of prints, metallic accents, and the unmistakable Imprint silhouette that commands presence. The scene instantly became a pop-up fashion moment, with smartphone flashes mimicking paparazzi bulbs and car horns silenced by awe.
Imprint, helmed by creative director Mzukisi Mbane, is known for marrying bold African storytelling with contemporary design. And Yaya was the perfect muse. The dramatic layered skirt with sweeping trains, paired with a sculptural top and adorned in regal hues of gold and indigo, was nothing short of regal defiance. Her look was finished off with stacked beaded accessories and fierce platform heels that echoed both heritage and high fashion.
“I wear my identity boldly — in fabric, in heels, in history,” Yaya shared to stunned fans, as she posed confidently next to a column of stalled vehicles. “Today wasn’t just about being seen. It was about taking up space, even in the most unexpected places.”
Her impromptu parking lot fashion moment was more than a stunt — it was a cultural statement. It highlighted how public spaces can be transformed into stages of self-expression, protest, and pride. For many, it was a masterclass in using fashion as activism, as Yaya continues to challenge gender norms and visibility through style.
Social media has been exploding this week, with images from this unforgettable moment, a true style icon daring moment. We lived to attest the true words of one of the most untamed global fashion icons Coco Chanel ” Everyday is a fashion show and the world is your runway”
With this bold performance, Yaya Mavundla proved once again that her presence is not one to be ignored. Whether on a red carpet or the concrete floor of a mall parking lot, she doesn’t just arrive — she disrupts, reclaims, and reigns.
