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The 2018 African Fashion International (AFI) Joburg Fashion Week took place at Melrose Arch, Johannesburg from 4-7 October 2018 with the theme #AfroAsia. We chat to go-to-designer-for-the-stars, Orapeleng Modutle, about his spring/summer showcase seen at AFI as well as his reaction to being recently listed as one of the Forbes 30 Under 30 African Creatives.
Can you give us the inspiration behind your showcase at Joburg Fashion Week?
Our spring/ summer showcase is a celebration of music. The relationship between fashion and music is one of abundant and mutual creativity. The collection tells a story of reciprocal influences that result in some of the most dynamic apparel with visualisations ever created in popular culture.
How did you interpret the AFI Fashion Week theme, #AfroAsia?
#AfroAsia is a hive for diverse international fashion fused with African elements bringing a new kind of narrative that speaks an African global language.
What type of woman do you design for?
The ideal Orapeleng Modutle Style Avenue woman loves to express her own romantic femininity always with taste, sensibility, and refinement, making the most of her own natural attributes.
What is it like being selected as one of the Forbes 30 Under 30 African Creatives?
I am extremely honoured to be nominated amongst such prestigious young Africans. Looking over the other winners in previous years, their companies are valuable and have grown successfully.
What have been some of your top career highlights?
Being on The Forbes Africa 30 under 30 as well as the Africa Youth Awards 100 Most influential young Africans all in one year was a great highlight for my career.
What would be your top trends for spring/summer fashion this year?
Lots of fringing!
What advice would you give to up and coming African designers?
Stay focused and hungry and always remember what your long-term goal is.
What still needs to happen when it comes to the support of African fashion designers?
We need to invest a little bit more into the young African talent.
What are you currently working on and what’s next?
I can't say much, but loads more are coming from the OM brand.
