Making a fashion statement for God
IF it s heavenly fashion you want, Fashion Meets Gospel s designers are the ones to watch.
Fortunate Nkateko Khoza, Nokwakha Qobo and Goodness Mahlangu had many singing their praises when they recently showcased at the Fashion Meets Gospel extravaganza.
Mahlangu was born and raised in Balfour, Mpumalanga, but moved to the East Rand to pursue her love of design.
She uses the brand name Sashes, and recently graduated with a diploma from a fashion school in Joburg.
My mother is a designer. That s where the talent comes from. I used to help her sew when I was growing up,” she says. A bright girl, she had the opportunity to study and become a psychologist. But she chose to make others look and feel good. I don t think psychology would have worked out. I think I made a perfect decision by choosing to be a designer, she said. The 22-year-old sees making clothes the same as telling a story. When you put on a gown it s more than just covering your body, its the way it makes you feel and think,” she explains. When it comes to fabrics, she loves playing around with different prints and textures. I would describe my designs as quite feminine and laid-back but at the same time it says you put in a lot of effort.” Fortunate Nkateko Khoza is another hand blessed by God. She is from from Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga. She had no clue how to get into the fashion business but her love for the industry had her asking questions and doing plenty of research. I ventured into it without experience and knowledge, I had to ask around for advice, she says. Today she proudly owns the brand Lufi D which was established a year and half ago. It s doing so well that the 31-year-old quit her day job. It s become the biggest thing in my life,” she says. Before dedicating her time to designing clothes, Khoza sold insurance policies.
Her collection consists mostly of tailored suits and tuxedos for both men and women.
She says its the kind of look you can pull off on any day from the office to a wedding.
Nokwakha Qobo, from Pretoria, says her love for design manifested in her teen years in Sharpeville where she grew up.
I used to turn my siblings school collars inside out to renew them,” she remembers.
The 42-year-old says her very first attempt at making a garment was Palazzo pants and a waistcoat she made out of her mother s curtains.
They were big in the nineties,” she says.
After matric she enrolled at Vaal University of Technology but was forced to drop out after four months because her father lost his job.
I was depressed and disappointed, but the best present that my father ever bought me was a sewing machine. I taught myself how to draw patterns, cut and stitch,” she said.
It was then that people noticed her clothing and some would place orders. She said she went to the paper recycling dump and asked for old magazines so she could be familiar with fashion trends published by the magazines.
Her collection was mostly inspired by exploring Africa and its wildlife.
It s to show that you can wear African style as a young person in a funky way and look cool,” she says.
The Fashion Meets Gospel event was organised by designer and celebrity stylists Lindani Ndwandwa.
He said Fashion Meets Gospel is a concept that begun five years ago. Its about fusing fashion and gospel in one room. They are the two biggest growing industries internationally so I fuse it into one event.
We invite unknown designers to showcase and different gospel artists come and sing. The idea is to launch their careers and to show that fashion and gospel can mix.
It shows Christians that fashion is not a sin. It s okay for Christians to look good and dress up for God,” he says. GIRL power reigned this past week on Season 12 of After another brutal cut, it was down to the 37 remaining contestants to battle it out for a spot in the top 16. With only a few hours given for rehearsals, vocal coaching and sound checks it was onto the last day of Theatre Week. Each contestant had to sing a song chosen by the judges and perform it in front of a large audience, the first time this season. Five ladies in particular brought their A game with near flawless performances. Siyakha Tsheyela, 22, dubbed Siyakha-yoncé, after her performance, belted Beyonce s hitting all the right notes with conviction. A highly impressed Judge Somizi Mhlongo ran onto stage to bow down at Siyakha s feet as he told her: You brought it, you burnt the floor.” Alicia van Wyk, 20, also did a Beyoncé, via Judge Unathi Msengana raved about her voice, calling it insane and said Alicia owned her performance. Nosihe Zulu, 19, pictured herself in New York as she belted out Alicia Key s Randall Abrahams called her the most sophisticated singer in the show. This girl is smouldering,” he said.
More fire was served when Valentine Mathe, 20, rocked the stage with a hip gyrating performance of
by Tinashe. A mesmerised Randall said all hands were indeed on deck for Valentine s hot performance in red lips and red heels.
I loved it, there was nothing wrong,” said Gareth Cliff.
Noma, 24, silenced the theatre venue with her flawless delivery of Jennifer Hudson s hit
Whoo shem, you murdered it,” screamed Mhlongo.
Unathi described it as her best performance of the week. Excited about the girls form, Mhlongo exclaimed: Who run Idols? Girls!”
But the thorn among the roses, Terra Cox, broke out of his shell with a monster performance of Nick Jonas s to earn his ticket.
The top 16 will be decided tonight, live on DStv channel 161 from 5.30pm.