This summer, KFC’s iconic bucket has undergone a vibrant transformation, courtesy of Cape Town illustrator and musician Elio Moavero. Known for his energetic, rock ‘n’ roll-inspired art style, Moavero brings his eclectic sensibility to KFC’s latest Festive campaign. The result is a limited-edition bucket design that he says captures “the perfect setting to bring a whole bunch of people together”.
Moavero, who balances his visual art career with his role as a bassist and singer in a band, has imbued his creation with the spirit of summer festivals and lively gatherings. “It’s about celebrating the season and sharing in the energy of good times and great music,” he says. “Summer for me is being outdoors, listening to music and having a great time with friends and family. That’s the vibe I wanted to bring into this design, and I think it’s a lot of fun.”
This partnership is part of KFC’s ongoing collaboration with South African artists who reinterpret the brand’s bucket, infusing it with contemporary cultural references. And for the first time, Moavero’s work will feature on KFC’s other summer containers as well.
Chief Marketing Officer Grant Macpherson says the initiative aims to celebrate KFC’s relevance in all moments, especially during the festive period, and the ways packaging can shape brand perception. “The bucket isn’t just a vessel for sharing,” he notes. “It represents quality, trust, and now, with Elio’s work, it stands as a symbol of togetherness, music and celebration.”
Macpherson points out that KFC’s brand assets, like the bucket, help define the company’s distinctive identity. When the Streetwise Bucket for One was first introduced, a fan playfully tweeted that it was like “champagne on ice”. Macpherson says: “That tweet showed us the emotional pull of our packaging-it can elevate the experience and the product’s relevance.”
The 26-year-old Moavero, who grew up in a lively Italian family in Johannesburg, understands the central role of food in creating memorable summer moments. He recalls his own family’s gatherings, where food was as much a part of the celebration as the people. “KFC’s role during festive times,” he says, “is like a refreshing pause between summer’s big moments-there for parties, family events, and all the season’s celebrations.”
Moavero grew up on cartoons and comics and prefers illustration work that doesn’t take itself too seriously and is based on a simple and succinct idea. His band, Painted Flowers, plays what he calls “a modern take on Sixties and Seventies rock ‘n’ roll”, and his bucket design blends the rhythms of his favourite music with his signature chaotic style.
“I listen to a lot of music while I work,” he says. “The two feed off each other, and I didn’t have to change my approach to meet KFC’s vision for the festive period. They gave me the freedom to explore what I’m excited about this summer, and I can’t wait to see people eating their favourite fried chicken while enjoying my design.”
For KFC, the artist’s work has again highlighted the ways in which packaging can create intrigue and buzz. Past collaborations with notable South African designers like Karabo Poppy, Yay Abe, Slaying Goliath, Shaun Oakley, and Megan Bird have been well-received by customers. “The right packaging sparks excitement before you even touch the food,” says Macpherson.
In Moavero’s hands, the bucket becomes more than a container. It’s an invitation to the feel-good moments of summer, a reminder of the connections made over shared meals, and the joy found in simple gatherings.