Multi-award-winning fashion designer Palesa Mokubung is set to host her first solo show at South African Fashion Week.
The founder of Mantsho who will showcase on Saturday, September 28, will be launching her autumn/winter 25 collection to celebrate and honour the spirit of motherhood as she has just given birth to her second daughter.
"The collection will be soft and delicate while maintaining the strength and edge that a Mantsho woman possesses. We will also introduce pieces that are 100% cotton, which will be a huge milestone for the brand.
“Mantsho always aims to demonstrate the beauty of being a black and contemporary woman at any stage in her life in a bold, authentic, and gracious way. Clothes are what we make. Style and grace are what we sell.
“The show is called 'Mosa', which means 'Grace' in Sesotho and really expresses my gratitude to be so abundantly blessed. However, 'Mosa' also happens to be my daughter’s name,” explained the designer.
Mokubung, who is celebrating 20 years since the inception of Mantsho, said she didn’t realise how fast time has flown because she’s been too focused on work.
The designer with many accolades, including being the first African designer to partner with H&M (2019), being honoured with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” at Free State Fashion Week and mentoring young designers, among other things, said she looks forward to the next 20 years in her career.
"My hopes are to carry on growing with the Mantsho woman. To cover more ground and grow our fan base. I have hopes of dominating spaces in international fashion capitals of the world,” she said.
"I hope to keep serving the community and helping and inspiring young designers. I want to build a brand that South Africa is proud of. To be the epitome of a brown woman who leads with authenticity, heart and confidence."
∎ The Mantsho SA Fashion Week AW25 show will start at 7pm at Melrose Arch on Saturday, September 28.