Local designer scoops top prize
Local self-taught designer wows at the Vukani Fashion Awards.
Down-to-earth, defined and stylish, are the words often used to describe Luthando Mbobo and his wonderful designs and work ethic.
It was these same designs that earned him the Best Ready-to-Wear Collection title, the top prize at this year’s Vukani Fashion Awards.
The awards, held at Emperors Palace, last Saturday, provided a platform and opportunity for young and upcoming designers to showcase their design talent.
Vukani has also been providing an introduction and giving further exposure to the world of fashion through incubation and mentorship programmes for the last 19 years.
Mbobo’s interpretation of the theme,”Trend setters setting trends: Back to Basics”, amazed the crowd as they saw traditionally familiar blankets from itshali to ncawe (Xhosa) to seanamarena (Sotho) and umbhalo (Ndebele) cleverly crafted into ponchos and even men’s tailored jackets.
When asked what had inspired his designs, Mbobo said: “I was inspired by rural areas and how people and animals live.
“In my interpretation of the theme, I then used their traditional blankets as the material to construct the garments.”
Mbobo, a 29-year-old self-taught designer from Katlehong, had his first experience with the Vukani Fashion Awards last year, when he was invited to showcase his work as one of the emerging guest designers from Ekurhuleni.
This is a developmental initiative benefiting residents of the host city.
After that experience he made the decision to enter this year’s competition.
Mbobo submitted his design ideas to the South African Fashion Designers Association (SAFDA), by submitting a storyboard during the “call to enter phase” and was selected as one of the 14 finalists who presented their collections at the awards held at Emperors Palace.
Mbobo lives in Katlehong with his grandmother, two sisters and a brother.
From a young age he dreamed of becoming a fashion designer.
His mother was a tailor and when he inherited her sewing machine, after her death, in 2001, who was a tailor, and he was determined to make his dream a reality.
Mbobo, who is self-employed, currently shares a clothing studio with five other designers in Pritchard Street, in Johannesburg’s CBD.
His clothing store, Mbombo Movement, is also situated in Johannesburg, in Fashion Kapitol.
He hopes that his win at the awards will make people sit up and notice him, leading to more jobs and more opportunities for him and his fashion label to grow.
