Dress for super amazing ’ pupil
TLALE CELEBRATES IN STYLE
AS THE world celebrated International Mandela Day yesterday, fashion designer David Tlale and his team celebrated by working frantically for 67 minutes to make a dream matric dance dress for that a “super amazing” pupil.
“The girl who wins this dress must be someone who deserves it and she must feel like a million dollars because our mission is to make people look and feel like a million dollars,” Tlale said.
Every concept – from design to end result – of the beautifully designed, long gold dress that would normally cost R25 000 was done yesterday morning in exactly 67 minutes.
“Whatever happens guys, it must still be good quality when it’s done,” Tlale said, while he and his team were busy.
His team consists of 12 people, and while others were busy cutting the fabric, others were sewing and ironing.
“Working under so much pressure is very stressful because you are working with people who really have to make it happen, not only for me but also for the brand,” Tlale said.
“I had to make sure that this whole process is flawless.”
He did, however, mention that the challenge was quite daring since they did not even have a trial run.
“I was very sceptical because we were putting the brand on the line, but we managed to do it,” he said.
Tlale added that he wanted to continue doing this project as his 67 minutes and also that he wanted to make it part of his company’s legacy.
“Maybe next year we could make a suite or a wedding dress – just watch this space,” he said.
Tlale said his team was shocked and in disbelief when he told them what they had to do in 67 minutes.
“Their reaction was like ‘ are you serious, are we going to do this’. I told them ‘ yes, we can do it, it’s only a dress’.
“I believe in my team, I believe they are capable and that’s why I put them to the test, and they delivered,” Tlale said.
Machinist Abu Malki said: “When we were making the dress I felt good because we were doing it for Mandela. “I also would like to do it next year.” Pupils who want to win the size 34 dress can apply next month when the selection process starts.
“The dress will go to someone who cannot afford to buy a dress and who is in need,” Tlale said.
“We can’t give the dress to someone who just wants to look glamorous, but not doing well at school.”
The competition will be shown on television and social networks. DAVID Nxumalo skipped his 67 minutes of goodwill at the Mandela House Museum in Vilakazi Street, Soweto to celebrate Madiba Day.
Pouring with sweat, the 48-year-old kept shouting: “You can go down to Sakhumzi restaurant, order your lunch and Johnnie Walker and you will still find me skipping.”
Nxumalo’s skipping culminated in 10 277 jumps, 68 minutes and 1 383.7 calories burnt.
Nxumalo, who was skipping his second 67 minutes, said he was doing this in honour of Nelson Mandela and to fight obesity, crime and drug abuse.
Nxumalo, who works at a bank in Johannesburg, said Mandela was a boxer who encouraged people to lead healthy lifestyles.
Nxumalo’s younger brother and manager Siphiwe Nxumalo said they wanted to prove that everyone can do it.
“Here is a man with his own challenges. He is 48 years old and has high blood pressure, but he is still doing it,” Nxumalo’s brother said.
Siphiwe said his brother had done the Kaya FM relay race and 14 comrades marathons, but did not finish one.
Nxumalo said skipping was an affordable and portable way to exercise.
He has also been to churches and schools teaching youngsters about skipping. Nxumalo will tomorrow bring 20 women to join in on the skipping.
He wears a device around his arm to record his progress.
The gadget is able to send the information to soscial media sites to update his skipping record. People can go on twitter @thandwangunomsa to view his skipping record. –