IN FABRIC AND SKIN

An artistic fashion designer doubles up in body tattoos

Fashion means looking stylish and distinctive either because of clothing or any form of art, including body art, according to Wedu Makoba of Expensive Skin Fashion.

Makoba has been into fashion all his life but got practical last year, when he enrolled for lessons and achieved his professional certificate for the fashion industry. He takes pride in designing urban wear with African print. His inspiration for fashion dates way back when he was a kid, and watched The Bold & The Beautiful soapie. He tells BG Style that while watching this soapie, all he concentrated on was the fashion part and he always dreamt of having a fashion empire and dressing up models as well as actors. The Serowe based fashion designer tells BG Style that when he decided that he was joining the local industry, he had observed every little detail and he is impressed by the fact that local fashion designers mean business, because they master their art.

“Gone are the days when visiting a fashion designer in Botswana was all about African print garments. Now, our local fashion designers even dress up beauty queens at beauty pageants and they are doing exceptionally well,” he says, adding that he draws courage from other fashion designers’ impressive work. What sets him apart as a fashion designer is the fact that he is a creative by nature. He is not only focused on fashion designing but also does professional body tattoos.

“I must admit that like many other new projects, I also felt pressure during the lockdowns last year, and I knew that I had to utilize my talent of fashion designing.

This was the time when I went for lessons at Motlaagana wa Banana where I attained my certificate. I felt the need to go and brush my skills so that I am confident enough to produce quality work,” he shares. He reiterates that he had to choose something unique at entry level, so that he could attract more clients because he believes that fashion industry evolves every day.

“I chose to design Urban Wear with African print, and also make arm sleeves, buff masks & balaclavas,” he shares.

Makoba appreciates the feedback that he is currently receiving. “The feedback is really positive although the reception is slow,” he says.

While awaiting to brand himself and have stalls around the country, Makoba is currently operating a home office in Serowe at Dinokwane CTO.

His mission, he says is to eliminate mediocrity within the industry. He is of the view that although there is so much talent, there has to be uniqueness as well. “I believe that what makes me different as a fashion designer is the fact that I am not scared to break the norms of fashion because Art is everything to me,” he says, adding that art is his escape to freedom as it allows him to be creative when he designs clothes or does body tattoos. He has been a professional tattoo artist for three years now, while he has been a street tattoo artist for seven years. He sheds light that:

“It’s never a good idea to drink before getting a tattoo, and it’s worth it for one to research about the tattoo they want as well as the tattoo artist so that there are no regrets because tattoos are permanent. Peeling off a tattoo is also not ideal,” Makoba says, noting that he also does piercings, and body art just like any other art is about self- expression. He adds that for some of his clients, he has to get creative enough to design them outfits that matches their tattoos too.