NOLUVO MGIJIMA 

A SIX-year journey in fashion design finally paid off for the Matatiele-based fashion designer Letsatsi Mahalika when her work was rewarded last Saturday, July 5.

She won the top prize in the Matatiele Fashion Show at Nokwezi Community Hall and walked away with a R3 000 voucher as well as a certificate of participation.

In 2019 she attained a fashion design qualification, and two years later she launched Letsatsi Empire PTY (Ltd), a fashion design company making female clothes. She has been operating in her living room with a single machine.

Her designs are inspired by the Hlubi culture with a mix of Sotho and Xhosa colours and designs.

At the fashion show, the unique signature colours of her designs stood out and captured several hearts.

She said the voucher she won at the fashion show will boost her business. Organisers for the fashion show hosted the event to promote the work of local designers and their brands.

The event was organised by sisters Pulane and Lihle Jafta under the theme: To Give Life to the Clothing and Apparel Facility.