FASHION DESIGNER
it informs how I see the world and how I create. When I started the brand, I became more aware of how often people feel the need to distance themselves from their origins. Through my work, I encourage others to hold onto their identity, regardless of where they move.
WHAT DRAWS YOU TO CULTURALLY ROOTED DESIGN?
From a young age, I was drawn to culture and traditional ways of dressing. Before the internet, I would study encyclopedias, exploring different countries and their cultural expressions. I developed the belief that garments rooted in culture carry a timelessness that trend-based fashion does not. This continues to guide my work.
original name. Using my name was about accountability and responsibility for the quality, storytelling, and integrity of the brand. It becomes personal.
WHAT DOES THE SESOTHO CULTURE MEAN TO YOU?
Sesotho culture is deeply rooted in my identity. I was born in Lesotho. That heritage is not separate from who I am;
WHY IS IT SO VITAL THAT WE RETURN TO OUR ROOTS IN DESIGN?
It comes down to longevity and meaning. Trends are temporary, but culture is generational. Returning to our roots allows us to create from a place of authenticity, rather than simply reacting to what is considered modern. It’ s not about rejecting the future, but carrying our identity into it.
HOW DO YOU USE YOUR PLATFORM TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMERGING DESIGNERS?
I feel a responsibility to help emerging designers navigate the path more easily. It’ s about helping them avoid some of the challenges we only came to understand later on. I work with institutions that support creatives, using my experience to identify gaps and improve systems so that new designers can move forward more efficiently and sustainably.
CAN YOU TAKE US THROUGH THE CREATIVE PROCESS BEHIND YOUR BASOTHO BLANKET WORK?
It began with a garment created for a Durban July event themed around royalty. I chose to draw from African identity and heritage. The response to that first piece led to growing interest and further exploration. I began engaging with the supply chain, speaking to farmers and understanding the origin of the wool, which allowed me to make more informed and sustainable design decisions.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO ABOUT YOUR EXHIBITION?
Presenting at Made in RSA in Woodstock, Cape Town – a marketplace that allows me to fully express the brand’ s voice and showcase our evolving textile work. I am also excited about the broader direction of the brand: supporting local textile production and encouraging designers to produce locally rather than relying on imports. This is about strengthening our industry, supporting communities, and building a system through which we can produce and export from within our own regions. IB
MAY 2026 / INBOUND SA 47