Fashion perfection from scratch

Yoliswa Dube
THE most elegant and well-fitted piece of clothing I own is a red, gold and black African print dress.

It’s my absolute all-time favourite! I had it made by a local fashion designer for a friend’s wedding.

After walking in and out of countless shops in search of a dress, with nothing to tickle my fancy in sight, I decided to look for a tailor.

I’d never actually had a tailor make anything for me from scratch so I was rather nervous.

I wondered if they’d be able to pull off the design I wanted or if the fit would be a perfect one. I was worried if it’d have a clean finish.

I didn’t want to walk around with a slope sided dress neither did I want to waste a penny of my hard earned cash investing in a flop of an idea.

It’s an emotional roller coaster, believe it or not, trusting someone with your vision and of course your expensive material.

For me, a visit to a tailor was to get my pants altered.

I’m petite, not in the literal sense but I’m short so I’ve had to alter the length of every pair of jeans or trousers I’ve ever bought — for as long as I can remember.

My height had been the only reason I’d ever had to engage a tailor.

But because I wanted to eliminate the possibility of going to this wedding wearing a dress someone else could be wearing, I decided off-the-rack wasn’t going to work for me.

So, I asked around and eventually met Thandiwe Moyo — a young and talented fashion designer based in the city.

I left room for disappointment, in case she made a joke of the design I wanted but to my delight — she turned a piece of fabric into fashion perfection. I went to this wedding and turned many heads. I accessorised the dress with a thin gold belt, matching gold shoes and gold jewellery.

You could have mistaken me for the owner of a billion dollar company!

But guess what, the dress cost a mere $25 — the shoes, belt and jewellery were fashion pieces I already owned.

A lot of people choose to ignore this fashion style secret but you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to look good.

Engaging a fashion designer to make you something for a special occasion or just a couple of everyday pieces is something you need to consider seriously.

Why?

Because you get the privilege of participating in the designing process, your fashion piece is especially made for your body shape and size and it’s easy on the pocket.

I’d have loved to attend the fashion shows at the recently held Vodacom Durban July in South Africa for one reason — to see something different.

The beauty of working with a fashion designer is getting a tailor-made look unique only to you.

That’s always a bonus.

Fashion designers are certainly not for the ladies alone.

Gentlemen, you can also get a fashion designer to make you something that will hug your arms and torso perfectly.

Nothing looks better than a well-fitted suit!

The modern man should own a slim fit suit and you honestly can’t get this off-the-rack, unless of course you’re a model.

Going to a tailor, getting measured, and waiting for them to make your suit sounds like the height of inconvenience but think about what you’d do otherwise.

Off-the-rack suits are all in generic sizes, so chances are good that you’d end up trying on a lot of them before you find something that seems acceptable — not even great; just acceptable.

Maybe your perception of a tailor is the woman who sewed your mother’s church uniform or those awful looking bridesmaids’ dresses you had to wear to your cousin’s wedding.

Open yourself up to something different. There are some really talented fashion designers out there. Find one, give them a chance and you’ll never regret taking the plunge.

Feedback from “Borrowing from the boys”

Sometimes you don’t feel girly? Hooo nhai? Nice article dear. Wakapenga! You have found your niche. — Kudzie.

Thanks for such encouraging articles Yolie, keep the fire burning and always keep the flag up. — Jussy.

Keep it up my sister. I really like reading your articles. Teach us more as this is the year of education! — Thabani, Old Lobengula, Bulawayo.

I’ve always enjoyed your articles, you are always on point. — 0772 300 ***

Interesting article madam! — 0772 898 ***

Until next week, flaunt your pattern and style and don’t forget to drop me an SMS/Whatsapp on +263774 492 700 or send an e-mail to [email protected] .