#GTILEGENDS

“Growing up, it was the GTI that ran the streets in my hood. Cars have always been entrenched in Hip Hop culture, which is why the GTI has always left a lasting impression on me. And in the summer of 1998, me and my BVK crew were cruising the streets in a blue GTI with yellow rims, dropping the beats of our single through the blaring sound system.

All eyes were on us. Little did we know that this was the birth of Hip Hop in SA. Never did we imagine our beats would break international boundaries and be heard across the globe, just like the thunderous sound of the legendary GTI can be heard revving through the streets of the Cape Flats.

From B-Boys hitting ice-cold freezes, to the late night meet ups where we’d enjoy Cape Town’s finest gatsby off our warm car bonnets. This was where our legend started. Where timeless memories were created. Right here, on the streets, our passion for the culture fuelled and driven by another legend of the streets, the legendary GTI.

From one legend to another - GTI - I Salute You.”

“It was around my artistic formative years in the late 90’s-early 2000’s. A time when I was missioning around Durban and marveling at the graffiti and street art around places like South beach. Hip Hop on Sony Discman CD player, fresh kicks as mode of transport.

This was also a time when democracy was still new and growing up in the south of Durban township, Umlazi, we started seeing more possibilities and developing new aspirations because more and more people who looked like us or from the township started to see more opportunities, be it corporate careers, sports or in the arts (music industry primarily).

Through the eyes of a young person, this was more evident by the clothes they wore and places they moved into, but to any kid in the township, having a car was the true definition of success and freedom. But not just any car, the Golf MK3 GTI was a legend that every kid wanted. Golf had always been the staple car in the township, but nothing said more about success and aspiration than a Golf GTI.

This was also a time when a sense of freedom to a teen, also just meant being able to have a set of wheels, cruise around, look for parties and street bashes.

Car culture is embedded in the township context. From the 6x9s, slick mags, and ear deadening revving of engines. The GTI stood out cause it was synonymous with a certain kind of swag. Always slick, clean, bumping the latest Kwaito tracks and always associated with a jol. Whether it was at a Carwash or at a shisanyama, GTI went hand in hand with everything stylish, cool and aspirational to kids at the time, and still to this day.

In the Township, GTI has always been about celebrating the good life, style, success, possibility and most importantly - freedom and aspiration for every kid with a dream.

It was a legend that inspired us all to create our own legends."

“It was the early 2000s. I never had a set of wheels, but that was never a problem.

All my friends had Golfs; all of them. Those days, life meant nothing but surfing, skating staying out late, and all the things Durban Beachfront had on offer. Each time we’d chip in for petrol and cruise around in a different ride; whoever’s turn it was to drive that day. There were three white ones, a red one, a custom purple one, sometimes one friend even brought his mom’s yellow one. None of them were as flashy or fast as the GTIs down by Blue Lagoon that would come past and flex on us, but they were ours.

We were always on a mission to own the day our way. We’d hang out in the parking lot, head down the coast to catch some of KZN’s most perfect waves, then head down to Johnny’s Roti’s to grab some chow. There, the GTIs were on full display. I just loved how the GTI took on different forms. People would customize and make them theirs. From the engines and decals to the dropped suspension and beats coming from the speakers. It’s essence of fashion on 4 wheels.

These were all elements that somewhat inspired the super-chilled and laid-back feel that comes across in the tone of my fashion.

Legendary times, in the company of a legend worthy of paying homage to.”