Mahlakwane living his dream as he dresses the stars
Designer credits Johan-Coetzee for launching his career
Four years in the fashion business and Ronny Mahlakwane is already making waves.
The bubbly 28-year-old from Sekhukhune village in Limpopo moved to Johannesburg while in grade 10 to live with his father, sister and brother. The last born of four had no idea that fashion could turn into an actual career. The dream slowly grew on him.
This past weekend, Mahlakwane dressed four people at the DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards ceremony, including actress Lusanda Mbane He also designed an outfit for Nomuzi “Moozlie” Mabena for the BET Awards.
Two weeks ago, the couturier dressed Terry Pheto and has worked with stars such as Nambitha Ben-Mazwai, Pabi Moloi, Entle Mbali, Zahara, and Kelly Khumalo.
How did your fashion journey start?
I was fortunate enough to intern at Gert Johan-Coetzee’s firm for nine months from 2017 to 2018. I also studied information technology in networking at Rosebank College and just as I was doing my last year, I jumped onto the internship and found myself spending more time at Gert’s firm than I did at school. I would only go to school when I had to write my exams.
Who was the first celebrity that you dressed?
I inboxed Entle Mbali in 2019 and asked her to wear my dress for free. She agreed and wore the dress at The Lion King launch and that gained me so much traction.
Explain the name behind LawrenSon Junior (LSJ) Designs.
It’s actually in honour of my father, Lawren and I’m the son – his junior. I registered the business straight after my internship and I won’t lie, it was a seamless start because of the exposure that I got while doing my internship. But when my investor pulled out 11 months, I was faced with the reality of standing on my own two feet. Now looking back, I appreciate them pulling out because I found my independence.
When did you know that fashion was your calling?
I’ve always loved fashion from when I was young, at the age of 10, when I would use plastic as my material to design clothes for those small plastic dolls. A cousin of mine once came with a doll and my father said they should also buy me one so I can dress it. I also loved watching Fashion TV where models would parade up the ramp.
Can you recall the first dress you designed?
It was a matric dance dress when I was only 17 years old. It was a combination of a mini dress that had an over-skirt over it, just that the over-skirt was not done nicely and looked like a bubble and some people called it a condom. But two or three years later that type of fashion started trending but we got a lot of criticism. But I didn’t stop because I was the only person who felt the intensity of the passion. I knew I was onto something.
Describe your signature?
I love making wedding gowns and red-carpet clothes, and that is what Gert specialises in, making him an obvious inspiration.
Career highlights thus far?
Winning the Style Awards for two years in a row under the best dressed category with my muse Theeminah; [when I] dressed singer Cici for a magazine cover shoot; and being awarded the Cosmo and GQ’s IG Best Dressed award. All in four years, it’s so surreal.
What lessons do you hope your journey teaches the next person?
As someone who grew up in a village and never thought that one day he would meet the stars that we see on television, my story is proof that everyone’s dreams are possible.