Diepkloof fashion designer turns creativity into thriving local brand

Diepkloof-based fashion designer Kamogelo Masilo, the founder of Blaxk Boy, began his tailoring journey in high school after finding himself unable to afford some of the brands he admired.

Instead of allowing his circumstances to stop him from expressing himself through fashion, Masilo turned to his grandmother’s sewing machine and began altering his own clothes.

Eight years later, tailoring has become more than a skill for Masilo — it has become a business and a way of expressing his identity and the creativity he sees around him in Soweto.

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Masilo launched Blaxk Boy two years ago to create an identity of his own. “The name represents a proud black child from the kasi, while the ‘X’ represents extra, future and the unknown. The brand is for every Soweto boy with a dream,” he said.

Starting the business, however, was far from easy.

With only one sewing machine and little money to buy materials, Masilo had to find creative ways to keep the enterprise going.

“I started small, sold one bag to make two and built from nothing, but my community supported me,” he said.

“Today, Blaxk Boy specialises in streetwear, producing backpacks, cargo pants, shirts and hats.” One of the brand’s distinguishing features is its colourful patchwork and colour-block designs, often combining shades such as blue, mustard, orange and white.

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Masilo says customisation makes up about 70% of his business, with customers able to influence the colours, sizes and even personal details incorporated into their pieces.

For Masilo, the inspiration behind the brand is deeply rooted in Soweto. From the colours of houses and taxis to the sunsets of Diepkloof, his surroundings influence his designs.

“Growing up in Soweto influences [my] creativity,” Masilo recalled. “One of my most memorable creations was a 12-colour patchwork backpack, which took two days to complete because of the time required to match the different blocks.”

He said the response from the client made the effort put into the item worthwhile. “She cried when she saw it and said she’s never seen anything like it in South Africa.”

Despite the growth of Blaxk Boy, Masilo still faces challenges familiar to many small entrepreneurs, including rising material costs, having his designs copied and managing almost every aspect of the business himself.

He is simultaneously the designer, tailor, delivery person and marketer, yet operating from Diepkloof remains an important part of his journey.

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“I believe the success of Blaxk Boy demonstrates that young entrepreneurs do not necessarily need to leave their communities to build successful businesses. It proves that one can build a brand from their bedroom in Diepkloof and sell across the country.”

His backpacks, which range between R450 and R850, have already found customers in Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town.

Blaxk Boy has also showcased its products at events including the Diepkloof Market, a Vilakazi Street pop-up and a youth expo in Johannesburg, where Masilo said he sold out of his backpacks in one day.

He believes this growth reflects a wider movement within Soweto, where local fashion brands are increasingly finding their own identity.

“Soweto is coming up heavy. We’re tired of international brands. We need to support each other, not hate. Soweto can be Africa’s next fashion hub.”

Looking five years ahead, Masilo hopes to have his own shops in Diepkloof and Johannesburg CBD, employ five young people from Soweto and host a Blaxk Boy fashion show in the township.

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He also wants to expand the business into a full clothing line.

“For young people who would want to go in the same direction of [owning] their own fashion brands, they should start now with what they have,” he said. “Don’t wait for perfection — make one piece, post it, sell it.”

He added that young entrepreneurs should price their skill, not work for free, and grow in their craft and talent.