DJ helps women shape up ‘bootifully’
AS AN ADVOCATE for “body positivity”, local actress, TV presenter and DJ Thando Thabethe has come up with her own underwear and shapewear range called Thabooty’s.
The range was launched last week at Randlords in Braamfontein, Joburg.
Idols judge Somizi “SomGaga” Mhlongo, wardrobe stylist Tshepi Vundla, local DJs PH and Ms Cosmo, and Farieda Metsileng, commonly known as “Pharoahfi”, were in attendance.
According to Thabethe, the launch of her new range marks the beginning of a new era for women of all “shapes, sizes, colours and creeds”, providing “a new calibre of comfort, style and support not currently found in off-the-rack stores”.
She said the idea to start an underwear and shapewear range was inspired by her struggles to find off-the-rack shapewear that was both appealing to the eye and functional.
“I wanted to create something women wouldn’t be ashamed to wear, and that would meet my functional needs.
“Whether it was to control or contour, I needed something that wouldn’t roll down my body or make me feel like I was wearing a blanket underneath my clothes,” she said.
“Looking at what I disliked with the underwear and shapewear I found, it was too thick, too lumpy. I would be sweating, and you can’t even breathe.
“The idea was to find breathable and comfortable underwear that was also functional and sexy,” said Thabethe.
Among the guests who said they loved Thabethe’s concept was Vundla, who told The Star that it was great that Thabethe was “representing the black girl magic”.
“All props to her and congratulations. Seeing black girls do something great is awesome, especially in a field that is not often done.
“I think she is the first in South Africa in terms of the ‘it girls’ to make a range of underwear and shapewear,” said Vundla.
“In terms of women embracing their sexuality, ‘free the nipple’ as long as you are comfortable.
“People think I am small, but I am a believer in bodyshaper things, especially if I am wearing a tight-fitting dress.”
The range will be available on ThandoThabethe.com and the underwear and shapewear lingerie can be pre-ordered at prices of R300 to R500 a piece.
This range epitomises the term “fashion forward”, featuring items that some might even dare to don as outerwear. For this reason, the launch trended with the hashtag #IAMWOMAN.
“This was to celebrate iconic women as well as the visual representation of women,” said Thabethe.
She added that she hoped to impart her own philosophies around women practising self-love, reclaiming their bodies and being comfortable in their skin, while also “disposing of the fallacy that women dress for men”.
Seeing black girls doing something great is awesome