FASHION DESIGNER AT WAR
They spoil it for those with true talent, says Loto
FASHION bad boy Loto Masedi Ramositli is stirring the pot once again. This time he is sniping at celebrities who call themselves “fashion designers” without having any formal educational qualifications.
Following on the heels of his claim that the Sama dress that Zahara wore was copied from his design, Ramositli now says people who did not study fashion design should not be called fashion designers – nor should they be allowed to have labels.
“The problem with people who did not study fashion but call themselves designers is that they have little regard for the craft.
“People like Uyanda Mbuli and Nhlanhla Nciza, to mention only two, are an insult to this beautiful and creative craft.
“In other professions you have to be qualified to practise.
“The painful part is that they use and abuse young designers who are supposed to be making names for themselves – and not for the celebs.
“You can’t see patients if you didn’t study medicine. Why do people think that because they have a name that appears in newspaper headlines they can just sit up and decide to call themselves new designers.
“That is why the standards of local fashion are in such a pathetic state. ”
Musician Nciza owns a fashion label called NN Vintage, while Mbuli owns Diamond Face Couture.
Mbuli previously worked with award-win- ning fashion designer Gert-Johan Coetzee.
But fashion expert Alexis Tshangana, who actually studied fashion, disagrees with Ramositli’s putdown.
She believes that “life experience ” is more essential to success than any degree.
But Ramositli insists there is simply insufficient space to cater for all the talented up-andcoming designers – except at fashion weeks.
“Even then you have to have money to show something, which is usually a ridiculously high amount for a young designer, ” he says.
He also complains that journalists ignore new talent and only write about celebrities-turnedfashion designers because they have big names.
“If young people see that fashion designers are not being supported properly they will not study fashion,” he warns. “This in turn will kill the industry and open up a gap for international clothes to come in. The fashion industry has to be protected because it feeds many families. Already many jobs have been shed. We cannot afford the death of this industry. ”
What is this guy’s claim to fame?
The Vaal-based designer, whose label is Lomara O, designed for people like Brenda Fassie, Somizi Mhlongo, Thembi Seete and Lebo Mathosa while he was still a student at GFD Emporium in Greenside.
The aspects that characterise Lomara O most is the ability to create high-end fashion and yet remain unique, full of charm and not to succumb to the ordinary.
This attitude has earned Ramositi a celebrity following.
“I chose Zikhona because she represents what womanhood stands for. She has a normal body, her beauty is natural and she is very talented. She also has the right attitude. You do not want to be associated with someone who is a diva or has a bad name. She is clean.”
This fashion designer is not one to shy away from controversy.
He says his aim is to use his celebrity status and public platform to inspire discussion around social issues.
“I want to use my work to communicate relevant social messages. Through my fashion line I want to inspire a meaningful dialogue among customers and likeminded individuals around provocative and, at the same time, defining social issues.”
Ramositli says he is now ready to return to the ramp business after a long break from the fashion scene.
“I am going to show at the SA Fashion Week. I am also busy negotiating with big brands in Rosebank to supply their stores with my clothes. The negotiations are at a sensitive stage, that’s why I can’t mention names.” – johnz@sowetan.co.za