PARIS, France — It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve noticed the impressive social dominance of the other Queen B, that is Bonang Matheba, a media personality based in Johannesburg. With over 5 million followers on Instagram alone, it may come as a surprise that she is not a regular fixture on the front row circuit, but may be better for it. She makes national news in South Africa with a single visit to France.

During Paris Fashion Week, she walked the runway as a talent for L’Oreal Paris — a typical scheme of multi-national corporations with imprints across the continent and the budgets to sponsor big names to tout their global relevance.

Off the runway, she rocked a Mmuso Maxwell hand-woven merino wool tunic and Crystal Birch ivory wool felt hat that racked almost 200K likes and later donned gold jewelry and accessories from Adele Dejak and Lafalaise Dion. Matheba represents a powerfully modern role model by mixing diaspora designers with other international brands, including Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. and Bottega Veneta.

Why it matters? Homegrown creatives continue to face narrowly defined boxes that can flatten their aesthetic to any one thing, be it bright colors, wax prints, or any other surface-level descriptor. Matheba’s team is masterful at cultivating her public wardrobe (and its accompanying scrutiny) in a manner that celebrates the diversity of diaspora talent without carting it out for thematic occasions or celebratory history months. It is another example of how fashion as soft power can shape hearts, minds, and economic outcomes.

Looks like you can still purchase the tunic and hat should your heart desire — here’s to the continuance of her reign of stylish consciousness.