Street fashion in South Africa

'For decades, international designers have been borrowing influences from Africa: tribal and animal prints, head wraps, safari suits, wooden jewellery, Masai blankets and so on. It's great in terms of keeping Africa on the catwalk, but now designers are doing it for themselves' Picture: Thabo from The Smarteez collective. This was taken in 2008 in Rockville, Soweto Photograph: Chris Saunders/PR

'The Smarteez are a four-strong DIY design collective. They epitomise the possibilities that are open to South Africa’s young post apartheid generation. Soweto’s style tribe refuse to be defined by their roots or race, are bold and original in their approach to fashion, and have turned the art of looking good into a fully fledged fashion label and scene' Picture: Kepi, one of the designers from The Smarteez collective, poses by the local Buy & Braai (barbecue spot) Photograph: Chris Saunders/PR

'Chris Saunders is one of Johannesburg’s leading photographers. His work straddles fashion, documentaries, portraiture and advertising but it’s his street style photography I enjoy the most. He always captures joy in his subjects and his images exude optimism about urban Africa. It’s little wonder that he was one of the first snappers to gravitate toward the Smarteez.' Picture: Flloyd from The Smarteez collective Photograph: Chris Saunders/PR

Thabo from the Smarteez, sitting outside a fabric store in downtown Johannesburg, where the collective often shop. He is wearing a traditional Zulu hat made by the lady seen sitting next to him Photograph: Chris Saunders/PR

Chris Saunders won the 2010 ACP Courier photo competition for this image, entitled Dressed Up. It’s taken from his Dance series for Benetton’s Colors magazine (Chris spent a year-long residency at Fabrica, Benetton's creative research facility in Italy) and captures Real Actions, a Pantsula dance crew from Orange Farm, South Africa. Pantsula is a township dance style and this shot was taken outside a community centre Photograph: Chris Saunders/PR

Dirty Paraffin, an electronic music act, posing by a brick wall for South African online magazine, Cuss Photograph: Chris Saunders/PR

The Smarteez collective crossing the road in downtown Johannesburg. In the background is a piece of street art by well-known artist Faith 47 which reads: 'The people shall govern' Photograph: Chris Saunders/PR

A Smarteez fan. The Smarteez have a healthy following of those who appreciate and follow their prolific creative output Photograph: Chris Saunders/PR

A young Xhosa boy outside the central train station in Cape Town wearing an oversized suit. In Xhosa tradition when a boy goes through his initiation to manhood, during which he is circumcised, he has to wear formal wear for several months afterwards Click here for more information on New African Fashion Photograph: Chris Saunders/PR