Joburg based clothing brand - My Closet - eyes Eastern Cape

By: Luviwe Pinda

High flying fashion house, my closet is set to open shop in the Eastern Cape as part of its expansion strategy. The Johannesburg based company said the decision to open a branch in the Eastern cape was a way of giving back to their home province and helping to create employment and boost the expertise of  fledgling  designers in the region.

My Closet which was established three years ago by two enterprising ladies, Akhona Shosha and Akho Mayatula has gradually carved a niche for the brand in the traditional design sector. Speaking to IDikelethu recently, Shosha said the company is poised to redefine the design of traditional attires to make it more attractive. Traditional wears she said represent a unique way of promoting the cultural heritage and identity of South Africans but regretted that many young South Africans were not keen on wearing the attires because they do not flow with modern trend. “That’s what we are focused at doing at my closet, to adapt our traditional wears into modern designs, she said. On the challenges of being an entrepreneur, Shosha confessed that “starting your own business is not easy, but something that requires a lot of time and effort’, however, she said the brand was committed to do all it takes to get to the top.

My Closest has dressed celebrity stars, such as Zandile Msutwana, Sisa Hewana, Zizo Beda and her husband Mayihlome Tshwete. Shosha says the brand which slogan is “Your style vault” is looking forward to adding many a-list stars to its clothing line this year and to engage upcoming designers and entrepreneurs who are skilled, especially in designing traditional wear to achieve their dreams.

 

Pictures: Courtesy of Akhona Shosha

In most cultures, traditional designs are considered appropriate for both men and women. It performs a range of social and cultural functions, such as individual, modesty, religion and also serves as a form of an expression of personal taste and style.