David Tlale is in a BOLD, DRAMATIC and ALLURING mood as he prepares to present a collection titled “CULTURAL INTIMACY” at the Mercedes-Benz New York Arise Promise of Africa Collective Show, on 11 September 2009, in Bryant Park! We like! Ladybrille Magazine caught up with the designer for sneak preview of his collection.
What kinds of fabrics will you use? natural silks . . . silk chiffons, silk satins, silk mesh and printed silks. The use of these natural fibers and others such as sisal fibers and brocades highlights the importance of maintaining originality and heritage of cultures.
Textures? The collection experiments with interesting texturing by the use of silk fringing, pleating, incorporated with dramatic draping. Structured jackets and high-waist trousers create sharp valorous looks while a silky sensual dress breezes through with sheer simplicity in its minimalistic state, bringing out a bold feminine quality to this collection. The David Tlale collection would not be complete without ankle-grazing length dresses sharing space with sexy above-the-knee cut pieces for an all encompassing DT experience.
Silhouettes? The use of Swazi and Ndebele geometrics come together to create an aesthetic relationship with the different influences from the heritage of Africa’s cultures. It explores billowing silhouettes for lean fits and wearing volume is all about enveloping yourself in stylish sensuality.
LADYBRILLEmag.com: What are you hoping will happen after the applause and excitement of showing at NYFW?
David Tlale: The opportunity to showcase on the catwalk of NY fashion week is a blessing and exciting experience on its own. I thank my sponsors and Universe for this step forward. I only hope that this platform will take my brand from strength to strength. It is a great and fulfilling journey to this point and I look forward spending more time in the Big Apple with the DAVID TLALE brand.
LADYBRILLEmag.com: You showed at Arise Africa Fashion Week, where do you see Africa’s fashion industry headed in the next two years?
David Tlale: Africa’s fashion and our contribution to the global fashion scene has definitely progressed over the years with the support and aid of Sponsor’s like Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe and Arise magazine, there’s an abundance of possibilities. Africa is a growing fashion capital.
~ Uduak Oduok
~Photo credit: Moodboard courtesy of David Tlale
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
