How Juandi Andrag’s Mantua Is Weaving Wellness Into Luxury
Silk, Skin, and Soul: How Juandi Andrag’s Mantua Is Weaving Wellness Into Luxury
When Stellenbosch designer Juandi Andrag was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, her world shifted—but so did her vision of style. Out of personal adversity came Mantua, a silkwear brand rooted in the belief that what we wear should heal us, not just adorn us. With hand-painted watercolour prints and a commitment to therapeutic luxury, Mantua is carving out a new niche where haute couture meets holistic care.
Andrag’s designs aren’t just beautiful; they’re biologically thoughtful. Crafted from hypoallergenic mulberry silk, each piece—whether a flowing kaftan or a versatile wrap—is a wearable ritual. The silk’s natural properties regulate body temperature, calm inflammation, and retain skin moisture. It’s wellness disguised as glamour.
“Our garments are as much for the skin as they are for the soul,” says Andrag, who paints many of the original designs herself. “When you live with chronic pain or sensitivity, you understand that comfort isn’t superficial—it’s sacred.”
Mantua emerges at a time when consumers are turning away from the churn of fast fashion and craving sustainability with substance. In a market saturated with buzzwords, Mantua walks the talk: ethically sourced silk, small-batch production, and a design philosophy that prioritizes function and feeling.
And with South African fashion gaining international attention for its artistry and authenticity, Andrag believes her homegrown label has a powerful role to play. “There’s a richness in our textures, in our stories—people are finally seeing that luxury doesn’t have to come from Paris or Milan. It can come from someone’s healing hands right here in Stellenbosch.”
