�Priestly� fashion line unveiled

Ulla Setswalo | Tuesday December 9, 2014 12:26

Unfortunately the launch started late after guests waited for hours, as the designer did not contract an event planner and a promoter for the show.

There were a few people who attended, as many did not know about the show.  However, as soon as the show started the crowd’s frustrations with time mismanagement were forgotten, as the summer fashion line was stunning with colourful fabrics and exceptional designs.

The designer of the moment, Tankiso has dressed some local and international celebrities, beauty queens such as Miss Botswana Rosemary Keofitlhetse, Tapiwa Preston and also designed gowns for Odirile ‘Vee’ Sento’s wife, Kagiso’s bridesmaids at their wedding.

Zenzele Hirschfield who looked dazzling in one of Tankiso’s designs was the Master of Ceremony.   DJ Onza was on the decks. The décor was beautiful and the food was served to guests before the show. The green environment complimented the clothes worn by models as the colours popped out more and The Naughty Toddlers (TNT) kept the crowd entertained with their commercial, crump and break dance moves.

The models walking on a grass layered a ramp managed to pull off their strut in high heels, as walking on grass in heels is typically challenging.  As a born-again Christian, Tankiso chose the name Priestly because she wants her clothes to be something close to her religion.

“I believe clothes always make one feel good. 

That’s why I am passionate about designing beautiful clothes,” she said. The 29-year-old talented and self-taught designer from Serowe started in 2011 after completing her BA in Political Science.

Tankiso revealed that she has the ability to design for any body shape for adults, both men and women. Fashion lovers can look forward to her shop, which will be opened soon, but for now they can feast their eyes on her Facebook Page called ‘ Priestly’. 

For someone who quit her job to join the fashion industry, Tankiso has been fortunate enough to have an increasing clientele.

She has since made designing her career.  The designer said that, “I want to grow as a designer, learn more and be a big brand”. She further explained that once she gets her brand put out there, she will branch into making accessories, handbags, body care products, fragrances just to mention a few as the opportunities are available.

Tankiso made unique designs with African print and foreign fabric.  She designed skirts, dresses, cocktail dresses, men’s formal and casual clothes as well as tops.

Tankiso’s designs were complemented by handbands designed by her younger brother, Kesaobaka.  Her role model is Elie Saab and one can tell that from her designs. “I love the fact that Elie Saab can incorporate simplicity and elegance in a design,” said Tankiso.

The designer’s price ranges from P850 upwards depending on the design and fabric used.

The fashion show ended with guests placing orders and continuously talking about the designs after Tankiso received a standing ovation for her line.