In a fashion world teetering on the edge of maximalism and micro-trends, Juandi Andrag is quietly leading a silk-clad revolution—one that begins not on the runway, but on the skin. As the founder and designer of Mantua Silkwear, Juandi has built more than a brand; she’s created a manifesto for mindful luxury, stitched together with science, spirit, and South African artistry.
Born from her personal journey with autoimmune illness and a hypersensitive skin barrier, Mantua isn’t a detour—it’s a deeply intentional destination. “When your own skin becomes a battleground, you begin listening very differently to the things you place against it,” says Juandi. “For me, healing started with fabric.”
And that fabric is silk—nature’s own miracle fibre. Hypoallergenic, breathable, temperature-regulating, and exquisitely soft, silk becomes the canvas for Mantua’s hand-painted prints and flowing silhouettes. But these aren’t just pretty pieces—they’re what Juandi calls “ritual wear.”
“Each garment invites presence,” she explains. “Whether you’re slipping into a kaftan to meditate, wrapping a scarf around your shoulders for a meeting, or simply lounging at home, you’re performing a private act of restoration.”
Indeed, Mantua exists in that rare space where haute design meets holistic function. Each piece—be it a technicolour scarf, ethereal kaftan, or the brand’s highly anticipated bespoke sleepwear—feels less like fashion and more like an act of self-devotion. The colours are luminous, the lines elegant, and the effect quietly transformative.
Juandi is refreshingly uninterested in chasing trends. Instead, she designs for the woman who has evolved beyond fast fashion—the one who chooses resonance over relevance, fabric over flash.
“The Mantua woman understands that luxury isn’t about excess,” Juandi reflects. “It’s about how something makes you feel in your own skin.”
Her aesthetic, though global in appeal, remains deeply rooted in South African soil. All Mantua designs begin as hand-painted watercolour artworks—a visual love letter to the country’s rich light, flora, and soul. These original artworks are then digitally translated onto premium mulberry silk and natural silk blends, resulting in a tactile experience that’s equal parts couture and care.
Mantua’s South African identity also extends to its philosophy of sustainability and slow craftsmanship. No synthetic shortcuts. No mass-market mediocrity. Just intention, thread by thread.
So what’s next? “Sleepwear,” says Juandi, her eyes lighting up. “But not just any sleepwear—garments that make night-time sacred. That carry you gently into restoration.” Think silk slips and robes that are equal parts boudoir and wellness retreat.
For Juandi Andrag, Mantua isn’t about selling clothing. It’s about inviting women back into their bodies, through fabric that heals, elevates, and honours.
And in a world that moves too fast and feels too loud, that might be the most luxurious act of all.
mantua.co.za | Available through select boutiques & online
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