Mohalenyane Phakela
LESOTHO-BORN fashion designer, Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana, is making waves on the global stage with her designs featuring at the Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) in Canada held last month.
VFW, which kicked off on 15 September up to the 21st, is one of the world’s most prestigious industry events that gives a platform to both upcoming and established designers.
In its 22nd season, the show strives to deliver a fashion experience that celebrates multiculturalism and diversity, attracting Canadian and international designers from around the world.
Past participants at the pageant include designers such as Versace, Alexandra McQueen and Louis Vuitton, giving them exposure to an audience over 20 000 people which comprises influential fashion figures from around the world.
Despite being in her mid-20s, Makhetha-Kwinana’s clothing label, Thabo Makhetha, has been featured in most prominent South African magazines and newspapers, including Elle, Marie Claire and the Cape Argus. In an interview this past week from her base in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Makhetha-Kwinana described herself as an extrovert who believes in positivity and surrounding herself with ambitious people who like to have fun. Her guilty pleasure is vanilla ice-cream.
The 26-year old’s break into the fashion world was not by chance, but emanated from a flair for art and crafts fostered at a young age coupled with hard work and determination.
As she grew older, the love affair with fashion grew, prompting her to enroll for a National Diploma in Fashion Design at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in South Africa.
Finding a job post-university, however, proved difficult.
“At the time I was just designing and making outfits for various friends, family members and other clients until my parents advised me to formalise my operations and start a proper business,” said Makhetha-Kwinana.
“In 2009, Thabo Makhetha Fashion Design Studio was born. I gave it my name because I believe if your name is on it, you will care about it more.”
Thabo Makhetha Fashion Design Studio is inspired by the Basotho culture, she said, and makes use of the acrylic and wool blankets of the Mountain Kingdom, known as Se-ana-Marena.
“The brand is for women who want to show love for their country and are not scared to make a bold fashion statement,” she said.
“A wearer of a Thabo Makhetha outfit communicates that they are beautiful, African and proud of their heritage!”
Like any company, Makhetha-Kwinana said, Thabo Makhetha Fashion Design Studio has its fair share of challenges, chief of which is its location.
“Since my fashion studio is based in Port Elizabeth, I find it hard to source material and other resources,” she said, adding that despite the odds the company has remained afloat.
“Ever since we opened shop, the brand has grown tremendously to catering to local to national, and now even international clientele.”
The highlight for the burgeoning company so far has been landing a slot in the Vancouver Fashion Week where her spring/summer fashion range was showcased.
“The Thabo Makhetha brand acquired international recognition when former South African Elle Magazine Editor, Jackie Burger, wore the brand’s bestseller, the Short Cape (black and white), to the Louis Vuitton Fashion Show outside the Cour Carree du Louvre in Paris, which I had personally designed.
“As a result of the exposure from Burger, we received enquiries from international clientele about purchasing items from the Kobo collection and, a few months later, we were invited to show to our very first international fashion week in Canada,” she said.
Following the VFW showcase, Makhetha-Kwinana said, they have received a great deal of media coverage, from local newspapers to national magazines and online.”
Going forward, Makhetha-Kwinana said she plans to continue showcasing at international pageants and sell Thabo Makhetha designs in reputable boutiques around the world.
Plans are already in motion to establish an online store for the international market.