INSPIRED BY THE WOMAN IN YOU
HE GLAMOROUS dresses worn by some of South Africa’s biggest stars such as Bonang Matheba, Terry Pheto and Nandi Madida on the hottest red carpet events don’t just happen.
They begin in the imagination of talented designers, who use some of our celebrities as muses or brand ambassadors… after all nothing influences sales better than celebrity endorsements.
Couture designer Orapeleng Modutle is in the forefront when it comes to dressing some of our leading ladies in his label called Orapeleng Modutle Style Avenue.
His aesthetic… dreamy, detailed and surreal creations that could be showcased on high-profile international runways.
“I get to dress some of the country’s top celebrities, an opportunity that is not afforded to many young designers,” says Modutle.
“I have always wanted to dress Bonang Matheba because she is one of the best dressed red carpet queens.
“She is beautiful and she knows how to execute a look.
“I have dressed all the celebrities that I have wanted to dress locally such as Ayanda Thabethe, Minnie Dlamini and Nomzamo Mbatha.
“The women that I dress form in line with the product that I deliver and they get attracted to the quality of the style that I deliver… It’s really knowing how to stick to your clientele and quality and craftsmanship is also very important,” he says.
“Internationally, I would love to dress Jennifer Lopez and Kendall Jenner simply because Lopez never disappoints on the red carpet and Jenner is simple, gracious and beautiful… she looks good in just about anything she has on,” he says.
I met Modutle before his African Fashion International MercedesBenz Fashion Week Cape Town (MBFWCT) showcase.
The collection called “Rose Garden Wedding” features subliminal gowns in sequins, chiffon, satin, structured corsets.
The designs are complemented by breathtaking embellishments such as flowers, pearls, lace, feathers and hats by Anita Ferreira designs.
“The theme of the collection says royalty is getting married and they have invited their elite family members and friends.
“The collection caters for the attendees, the mother of the bride and bridal party,” Modutle explains. “It’s a day of fun, people are wearing hats, butterflies in their hair and big gowns… taking couture to another level,”he says. “Our previous collection was very playful, our clientele was very young, she wore crop tops and shorts. “This time she is matured and ladylike. “The couture fashion scene here still needs to grow, we need to educate our clients about what goes into the design and production process. “The craftsmanship and the behind-the-scenes that goes into creating a couture garment. “Some of my favourite international designers that I look up to for inspiration include Tom Form and Elie Saab, and locally Gavin Rajah and Gert-Johan Coetzee are
Bonang Matheba wearing OM Style Avenue.
amazing at couture,”he says.
Modutle, the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) fashion graduate developed his love for fashion and attention to detail at a young age while watching his mother and grandmother do needlework.
“I used to watch them hand stitching and that caught my attention from when I was about eight years old… that’s when I also developed my love for sketching.
“The first item I made at varsity was a pencil skirt, which took me a whole two weeks to make.
“My big break came when I was an intern with Khensani Nkosi’s Stoned Cherie.
“That was an amazing experience and she is the pillar of where I am now.
“I learnt a lot about how she ran her business. She taught me that fashion is not all about the glitz and the glam. I got to learn about finance and all the behind-the-scenes stuff,” he says.
Describe the Orapeleng Modutle Style Avenue woman?
“She is between the ages of 20 and 60. She is a romantic. She exudes opulence and luxury.
“She travels a lot and she is feminine. She is an extreme risk taker.
She is the kind of woman who will wear a pencil skirt with a slit paired with a feather jacket to work,”she says.
His advice for aspiring designers: “You need to learn the skill of design, your talent is not enough.
“Once you know the skill, get an internship.
“It is very important because you will be working with other people who have been in the industry longer than you.
“Even if it’s a different field or business than you are in… business mentorship is important,” Modutle adds.
Connect with Orapeleng Modutle Style Avenue on instagram @ Orapelengmodutle