South African designer DAVID TLALE

David Tlale the Designer

David Tlale is a south African Fashion designer. His designs are memorable, unpredictable and elegant. He designs for both men and women that want to be bold but yet classy.Tlale has won and has been nominated for number of prestigious fashion awards. He was the winner of the 2003 SAFW Elle New Talent Show Competition and he was one of four African designers, to showcase at the Paris Couture Fashion Week in July 2007. David a one of a kind and unique designer that has taken the world by storm and making all of us Afro fashion lovers proud. He is planning on becoming a top couture house in South Africa and be recognized all other the world. Below are some pictures and an interview conducted by Women24.com. Pictures Courtesy of Blueprint Magazine (online Magazine for south African fashion)

Tell us more about your brand and retail range. What kind of clothes do you design?

David Tlale is a home grown brand. We're focused on a Pret'-a'-porte' range including suits/shirts, blouses and dresses for day to day wear and a bit of cocktail dresses. The stock will be available as from March 2009. We specialise in couture for male and female. We also cater for ready to wear range. We will be selling from our studio based in Parktown North, Johannesburgat No: 50, 7th Avenue. Shopping per appointment on (011) 214 2700.

Tell us about your latest collection.

Our latest collection was launched in November 2008 and is called 'DT Green'. This range caters for voluptuous and fabulous women and is currently available on order. Stock will be available mid February 2009 and we're currently working on our Autumn/Winter range '09 to be launched at Audi Joburg Fashion Week on the 23rd January ’09 in Johannesburg. This range will be available from mid March at our Parktown North studio.

How do you keep your designs fresh and original?
We as David Tlale believe in evolution as a brand. We keep evolving from one season to the other and strongly believe in bench marking ourselves with the international market trends, so we can keep our designs fresh and original all the time. This is key to the David Tlale Brand as we viourselves as trendsetters in the South African Fashion industry.

Very sexy dress!!

What is your top style tip for the readers out there?
Comfort and confidence is of vital importance no matter what size. Thus each woman needs to know her body, understand her own style and have a sense of individualism. At all costs, know what embraces and doesn't work for your body. Then embrace trends and fashion.
What are three must-have items every woman should have in her closet?
A David Tlale original.
A fabulous hand bag "the bigger, the better" and a fantabulous matching pair of shoes.
A good sexy set of foundation garments or need I say a good pair of comfortable underwear, it does a lot for your daily ego and radiance.

What are the must-have items this season (from your collection and in general?
From my collection: A DT's Little Black Dress.
A DT Cream and Black with silver/gold shimmer and Panelled skirt, Jacket and waist coat with a matching silk chiffon/satin signature bower blouse.
In general: Something tribal, be proud to be African/to be in Africa and even embrace Africanism.
As I mentioned earlier, look at me: bag, shoes and shades. Accessorise like there is no tomorrow.
Scarves and shift dresses.
What is your favourite look for a woman?
Elegant, suited look with a bit of "drama" and accessories always does it for me.
What are the worst style mistakes you have seen?
Nasty rubber platforms/sticking out underwear on women is a big no, no! Unco-ordinated colour story, the worst is someone who doesn’t know what suits her body: There is a difference between looks for the voluptuous and looks for the skinny…
Do you have any exciting plans for the New Year?
Yes, we have great plans for 2009. We're looking forward to: Audi Joburg Fashion Week, our ready to wear ranges – DT green and others, our first flag ship store opening in South Africa and showing/exhibiting overseas. Watch this space!

Source: Bluprint MAg ,and women 24