Pretoria , South Africa ( CNN ) -- The past is a foreign place : they do things more fashionably there . That must be the reason for the continued infatuation with the vintage trend on catwalks , in boutiques and in stores around the world . But for Lourens Gebhardt , aka Loux the Vintage Guru , vintage is not just a trend , it is a way of life . `` Vintage clothes have history behind them , they are from a legendary era that has been left behind by our ancestors . It is not a trend , it wo n't go away , '' said the Namibian blogger and fashion designer . The Congolese dandies known as the `` Sapeurs '' have become well known for their love of classic designer labels and elegant vintage clothes , but retro is being worn by hipsters across the continent . `` Vintage clothing is cheap here in Africa compared to Europe and people can source their clothes easily at open markets , that 's why it 's so popular , '' Gebhardt explained . The Timeless Collective , a group of young creatives from Pretoria , South Africa , want to show off their talents through their love for vintage fashion . Members of the group include stylists , design students and photographers . `` I like vintage because of its quality , '' said Timeless Collective stylist Mapusha Mushe , `` the quality which you find in vintage clothes is just great . They are second hand clothes but no-one would believe it if you check the way I style them . `` Historically , Pretoria is not so fashionable , it 's more of a city , a basic modern city , but fashion wise we are trying as youngsters to bring it up . '' Johannesburg fashion blogger Jerri Mokgofe also appreciates the quality of vintage clothing . `` If you look at the retail stores , it 's all about fast fashion , fast fashion is what sells , and now you get a lot of synthetic fibers whereas in the past you got cotton , raw silks and those kinds of materials . Times have changed , '' he said . `` Vintage is people being nostalgic about the time or era that they did n't grow up in ; I mean everybody would have loved to have been born in the 1960s or the 1920s . So I think for some people it 's about escapism and fashion is escapism . `` You can always turn back the hands of time in terms of your wardrobe and revisit the past , the era your mom grew up in , and borrow from your mother 's , grandmother 's or grandfather 's wardrobe and put those elements together and wear it today . And the beauty of it is that it 's celebrated and people see it as the hottest trend . '' Not wanting to be left behind , retailers have also been turning back the hands of time . In Lagos , Nigeria , retro store `` Retrospective '' specializes in pre-owned clothes and accessories , while Vintage Gh is showcasing second-hand style in Accra , Ghana -- giving `` new life and value to otherwise discarded clothing . '' Vintage haven Fruitcake Vintage was set up by friends Jamakazi Thelejane and Sthembiso Mngadi in Johannesburg 's central business district . It opened in 2010 , and with prices ranging from about $ 8 to $ 50 it is known as the place to find both unique and affordable items . For the owners , their love of all things vintage is nothing new . `` I was brought up by my grandparents and I remember my grandfather used to change into three different suits a day , '' explained Mngadi . `` I never once saw my grandfather in casual clothing , so I think that stayed with me and my grandma of course , in her Sunday best . My mother and father were very fashionable people because of them , so it has always been with me . I think I was born with it . ''
Vintage is a hit with fashionistas across Africa . The quality , style and price of vintage clothing is part of the appeal . Bloggers , designers , photographers and retailers are all part of the appeal . It 's not a trend , but a way of life , says Namibian designer David Thomas .