Young designers shape stories through fashion

Two Pretoria stylists say fashion is more than just fabric and trends; it is also memory, identity, culture, and expression, all stitched together into wearable form.

For Tukiso Alex Makgoka (28) and Bofelo Senonohi (25), fashion has become a deeply personal journey shaped by resilience, heritage, and the desire to tell stories that matter.

Both had their work featured at the recent Soweto Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2026 held at the Soweto Theatre.

Makgoka says he is steadily carving his path in the South African fashion industry through his growing creative vision.

He says his passion for fashion grew from a deep fascination with how clothing can completely transform the way a person feels about themselves.

“Over time, that passion became something much bigger, leading me to pursue fashion studies at Tshwane University of Technology,” he says.

Makgoba says his time at the university played a defining role in shaping both his creative voice and technical foundation.

“There were moments of pressure, self-doubt, exhaustion, and uncertainty about the future. Balancing academics while trying to build my own identity as a designer was not always easy, but those experiences pushed me to work harder and trust my vision even more,” he says.

He says that his fashion journey was never just about clothing; it has always been about identity, storytelling, and creating garments that make people feel seen and empowered.

Makgoka says his design approach leans towards modern tailoring, multifunctionality, and storytelling, often drawing inspiration from African identity, Asian aesthetics, architecture, and sustainability.

While still early in his career, his work has already begun receiving industry recognition, including winning Best Commercial Range 2025 and being placed in the House of Savagery Young Designer of the Year competition.

He was also selected as one of the five finalists at Mahindra Fusion Fest.

“These milestones have motivated me to continue pushing myself creatively and professionally. They remind me that growth takes patience, consistency, and resilience,” he states.

Makgoka says his journey is still unfolding, but every challenge, achievement, and lesson continues to shape the designer and visionary he is becoming.

Senonohi, known creatively as Saint Heavens, says his work explores African storytelling, tailoring, identity, and ready-to-wear couture through a deeply personal and cultural lens.

He recently graduated Cum Laude from the Tshwane University of Technology, and continues to further his studies, while expanding his creative practice and voice within the fashion space.

Growing up surrounded by creativity, Senonohi’s earliest inspirations came from family, particularly memories of his grandmother’s sewing machine and the garments she lovingly made for him.

Senonohi says after experiencing personal loss at a young age, fashion became more than a career path. It became a means of healing, purpose, and honouring the people who shaped him.

“I have always been a creative child growing up, but a lot happened within a short period of time when I lost loved ones. Those experiences shaped me deeply and pushed me to become someone my parents and grandparents would be proud of,” he says.

Senonohi says he explores themes of African identity, cultural memory, gender expression, and contemporary African luxury.

“Through earthy colour palettes, structured silhouettes, leather and cowhide elements, and detailed craftsmanship, my designs explore the relationship between heritage, modernity, movement, architecture, and the body,” he explains.

Senonohi says as a young black, queer creative, he is particularly passionate about creating visibility and representation for femme, queer, and trans identities within fashion.

“What continues to keep me grounded is the phrase: ‘Ke ipela ka setso sa rona’, meaning, ‘I pride myself in our culture’,” he says.

Like Makgoka, Senonohi’s work has also begun gaining wider industry recognition.

In 2025, he was named among the Top 5 finalists for the Rocking the Daisies fashion competition.

Although their creative languages differ, both designers share a commitment to authenticity, cultural storytelling, and using fashion as a tool for connection and self-definition.

Their journeys reflect a new generation of South African fashion creatives who are reshaping the industry through vulnerability, innovation, and a strong sense of identity.

For both Makgoka and Senonohi, the future extends far beyond clothing. It is about building meaningful narratives, inspiring future creatives, and contributing to a fashion landscape that embraces individuality, heritage, and bold imagination.

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