Fashion X ushers summer in style

Mpho Mokwape | Monday August 24, 2015 18:00

 

While many critics believe that no industry is more fickle than the fashion one, which can be referenced to the local fashion market that is still to really take off, those that dare to dream continue to defy the odds and create sheer masterpieces that leave little to imagination.

One such designer is Aobakwe Molosiwa of Gilded Sands. People who have come across his designs will surely know that often he does not conform to the norms and culture society dictates; he speaks his own mind through his designs.

He introduced his ‘see through’ collection much to the applause of the crowd and him being the last showcase of the night, it was evident that the organisers decided to save the best for last.

His collection of see through jumpsuits made from pure lace, high waist boy-cut shorts, and lingerie completely switched the mood to a top notch.

Had he not been the last on the runaway, he could have carried the mood of the audience to the next designer. Among all the designers, one could read that he had something different in mind for the night and he surely delivered. Botho Chalebgwa of Botocy Creations proved that African print still has its own magic.

While her latest line is modern, she still played around with prints to give her designs a touch of African spirit. She is a top designer in her own right.  Theo Khumalo of Ragged, Lesley Mmokele of Les Wear also gave the audience a taste of what to expect this summer.

The Ragged collection stuck with its theme providing a collection of torn, tainted t-shirts and jeans, funky pants matched with jackets. The line was purely for those with the desire for a hip-hop look. Mmokele’s Les Wear made sure that those men and women dying to make statement with custom made suits are not left behind. The collection had a touch of corporate look and casual, making it the ultimate all round collection.  Lebang Setso of Lebang Setso Creations gave the audience something to smile about. Her collection put emphasis on pure leather bags. The models presented them while draped in garments.

For a moment, I asked myself if the audience remembered that decades ago tribes used to wear draped garments rather than well cut out and stitched modern designs.  Setso managed to present the concept in a more fashionable manner, with custom made bags giving the line a funky look.

All the designers who showcased their lines were fantastic in their own right, but some still need a lot of exposure, as they are new in the industry and trying to stamp their mark. 

Abigail Sehunelo of Funky Resy, Peculiar Creations by Lorato Barwabatsile, O-Lep by Oteng Lepere, Obonetse Diberela of Obonetse Originals, Fetish Designs by Mummy Molapo and Gofa Sithole of Ten Talents were all magnificent in their own way, especially that most of them are top of the cream.

All eleven designers that participated in the show made an impression on the audience interpreting the essence and notion that fashion was not a matter of making clothes, but making a statement.