The Cat Wears Fendi: Vusimuzi Matlala rocks luxury fashion at day two of Ad Hoc Committee testimony
Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre today.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
If the Devil wears Prada, then the Cat wears Fendi.
Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala might be in shackles, but his drip is still off the chain.
Shuffling into the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre, he arrived in an all-black outfit that was anything but ordinary.
At first glance, it looked like a simple slim-fit black shirt paired with basic black trousers.
Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala wore an all-black Fendi outfit.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
But nothing about this look is basic because the small details are what take it from man on the street to top-tier luxury.
The FF design on the collar and inside the pockets of the trousers is an unmistakable nod to Fendi, the Italian luxury house known for making subtle detailing look expensive.
Just yesterday, he stood before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee in full Burberry.
Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, who is currently in custody, is testifying in the Ad Hoc Committee at the Kgoši Mampuru Correctional Centre in Tshwane.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
Head to toe in the iconic beige and black plaid, he wore a look that seemed modest at first but carried a jaw-dropping estimated price tag of around R50,000.
Today’s all-black fit is a complete shift from yesterday, yet one thing has stayed consistent.
The price tag is still far beyond what most of us could ever justify spending.
So let’s break down what the accused businessman wore today.
The black shirt with the brown FF printed collar is no longer available on the official Fendi site because it’s from an older collection.
However, it’s still listed elsewhere on sale for R17,614, marked down from R22,018.
The black shirt is no longer on Fendi's official website.
Image: Screenshot
This suggests the shirt, and more than likely the matching trousers with the same pattern detail, were bought some time ago.
For reference, the cheapest and most basic pair of Fendi trousers on their site goes for $930.
The belt, also featuring the FF motif, is reversible and retails for $580, which works out to roughly R10,000.
The Fendi reversible belt is a classic.
Image: Screenshot
As for the chunky loafers, they aren’t easy to identify, but judging from yesterday’s head-to-toe commitment to a single brand, it wouldn’t be surprising if he kept the Fendi theme going all the way down.
Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala's chunky loafers.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
If so, similar beige Fendi loafers sell for around $878, which is close to R15,000.
If he's brand loyal these are the loafers he's possibly wearing.
Image: Screenshot
Unfortunately for him, the mandatory stainless steel chains and bulky locks are not exactly the accessories anyone would choose to complete an outfit.
Matlala’s approach to luxury sits somewhere between loud and soft luxury.
The branding is there. You can spot it instantly, but it is still relatively toned down and not screaming for attention.
And while his testimonies might be what keep us glued to our seats, there is no denying that his runway-worthy looks continue to steal the show.