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Most Innovative Range Award for Mtolo

Most Innovative Range Award for Mtolo

Twenty-two year old Yanela Mtolo always knew that she wanted to do something that was inspired by the Transkei or the Xhosa people. 

Proud of her Xhosa culture, Mtolo has always wanted to show this pride through her culture which earned her the Most Innovative Range award during the DUT Fashion Show 2016. 

Themed: After Earth, the annual DUT Fashion Show, hosted by the University’s Fashion and Textiles Department, was held on Friday night (30 September) at the DUT Fred Crookes Sports Centre, Steve Biko Campus. This year’s Show challenged 35 Fashion and Textiles students to explore their own vision of our next world through their respective fashion ranges. 

“I feel our South African cultures are slowly fading so I wanted to make my garments more posh, add more of a modern twist to my fashion creations,” said Mtolo. “I didn’t expect people to understand my designs, I thought that the show-goers and the judges would not see the fashion ideas that I had worked so hard to achieve, and for me that was my biggest concern. In the end, I’m happy and excited that people did see my vision of showcasing traditional Xhosa women costumes styled with second hand items in a return to my African roots depiction through my range,” she said. 

In terms of the future, Mtolo has set her eye on the prestigious Durban Fashion Fair which has grown to become the leading fashion show in the province and South Africa.

– Waheeda Peters

Pictured: Yanela Mtolo’s Most Innovative Range at the  DUT Annual Fashion Show 2016 finale which was held at the Fred Crookes Sports Centre, DUT Steve Biko Campus, on Friday, 30 September 2016.

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