Every success story begins with a vision, followed by passion and hard work. This simple formula is what internationally acclaimed fashion designer, David Tlale has adopted into making his clothing label the success it is today.
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND
I recently showcased my first solo runway show at New York Fashion Week for the annual autumn collections. I was ecstatic and nervous all at once; I didn’t sleep a wink the night before the show – that’s how nervous I was. I’ve showcased a number of times at Fashion Week, but I’ve always shared the runway with other designers. This time, I had it all to myself. I’m grateful I have a foot in the international market, but this is only the beginning. After 10 years of David Tlale, it’s only now that we’re operating at the level I had always envisioned for the label. My goal ultimately is to supply my designs globally and have stores both locally and internationally. I want David Tlale to be a brand similar to Marc Jacobs, Armani and similar brands that are known and respected globally.
THE POWER OF HAVING A VISION
I first studied internal auditing before I ventured into fashion. I hated it, to say the least. I studied fashion at the Vaal University of Technology and when my brand launched in 2003 after I’ve won the Elle New Talent Show competition, I had a vision from the get go to make my label big. I told myself then that I was going to do this and do it right. In anything you have to know why you’re doing it and how you’re going to make it a success. If you don’t have a vision, then mediocrity is what you will get.
GOD
God is everything in my life. I live by the words: ‘In God I am, in God I stand and in God I’ll be’. Everything around me is because of Him and He’s the pillar of my brand. When I started in fashion all I had was my faith in God and I understood that my talent was given to me by Him and that’s why I nurture it so much.
THE INTERN
This is a project I started last year in collaboration with the KZN Department of Economic Development and Tourism. I had a yearning to reach out to young designers and give them what I’ve learnt in the fashion industry. When I started out, I had no mentor, so I felt I needed to give aspiring designers a chance to learn all there is about the industry before venturing into it. I had two interns last year and I have two again this year. All four showcased at the Mercedes Fashion Week in March. Although we are only taking interns from KZN now, the aim is for us to make the programme national.
STYLE
Simply put, style is being at your most comfortable when you are portraying yourself to the world.
LIFESTYLE STUDIO
We’ve launched a lifestyle studio in Durban where we are selling designs and other merchandise, including handbags and CDs, from our interns.
Story by Phila Tyekana
