Entertainment
From Engineering to Fashion
Taking you through the world of fashion through the eyes of Neo Mokhethi. ” I don’t limit myself when it comes to creativity”, – fashion entrepreneur Neo Mokhethi.
About Neo Mokhethi
I’m from Soweto and currently based in Soweto. I am a self-taught creative artist, an entrepreneur, an explorer, and an ideologist.
What do you do?
As a creative artist, I work mostly in the fashion industry. I’m specifically focusing on coming up with ideas and concepts which are not a cliche to the fashion industry. The aim is to do my research and experiment with these concepts which are not familiar within the fashion industry. At the moment I’m still working on different designs, which I’ll be releasing later this year. My idea aside from fashion is to create a forum where all entrepreneurs come together to talk about their ideas and how to bring them to light. How these ideas could create job opportunities for our fellow youth and benefit communities and societies.
Neo Mokhethi
In your own words, define fashion
Fashion for me is more than just wearing clothes and looking attractive. Fashion for me is a lifestyle, my daily bread. I can’t leave the house not looking presentable, fashion for me reflects personality, character, reflects my own thoughts. I express my ideologies through fashion. I’m not a talkative person, so I express myself through my style. Everywhere I go I want people to recognise my work, my creativity is expressed through my style.
WHO and WHAT inspired you to create your designs?
I am my own inspiration, but mostly things that inspire me to create my designs is recycling. What motivated that, is the idea of having to grow within a community where there is a lack of opportunities and we tend to see how people suffer on a daily basis and how they are able to maneuver through by creating things through recycled material, [making a living]. For instance, I started by doing bags using “mielie meal sacks “, because it reflected my youth days when I couldn’t [afford to buy materials ].
Neo Mokthethi
What is your greatest strength ?
Believing in what I do and not even have doubts that I might fail. I have failed before but I learned to understand, what failure is. At this point in my life, I don’t have any fears.
Tell us about your challenges
My biggest challenge was breaking-through and having to explore and venture into the fashion industry. I studied engineering at the University of Johannesburg, however, I was focusing more on fashion. The hardest decision I had to make was moving away from engineering into fashion, I was afraid of the consequences.
Neo Mokhethi
My long-terms goals
I want to build a legacy for myself in the fashion industry in the creative space. I want to collaborate with big names and [the vision] is to see myself all over Africa to all over the world.
Neo Mokhethi
Neo Mokhethi
This youth month we celebrate Neo’s determination to not only grow himself but the society at large.
A stand off between the best university choirs, a battle of melodies and voices, creativity and great coordination.
It was a battle of the voices at the UJ Sing it out competition as choirs took to the stage to deliver a performance deserving of a trophy.
The City Waldorf powered through their performance, which saw them take the trophy home.
Nozipho Mashana, Empress South Africa contestant. A believer of working hard and using her craft to instil positive attitudes and carrying that through ones being.
Image: Supplied
Who is Nozipho Mashaba?
Nozipho Mashaba (25) from the rich grounds of Venda to the city of Gold describes herself as a humble and caring soul. A woman with determination to be successful and a hard worker.
How do you use your craft as a tool to spread positivity?
If they say it’s impossible, it’s impossible for them not for you. No matter where you come from or what you have been through the future is yours too. Our dreams are valid and we all have the power to make them come true.
Image: Supplied
What does it mean for you to be part of Empress South Africa?
Empress South Africa is a wonderful women empowerment platform, that doesn’t discriminate your size, race, background (whether you rich or poor), you height your weight and your looks.
This is something that I’ve dreamt about doing for the longest time and day by day, moment by moment I’m getting closer to realising my dream. I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have made it this far and being able to make my hometown proud.
What is that one thing you would like the world to know about you?
I love people and changing lives so much. Every time l meet someone l make an impact in their lives. I’m one person who is not scared of losing because that way l get to learn how l can make myself better. I take risks and l challenge myself to new things.
Image: Supplied
What made you choose modelling?
I love the thrill and influence that comes with it, having to touch more lives either than those close to me through modelling is a fulfilling feeling.
Since it’s women’s month what message do have for women out there and those looking to follow in your footsteps ?
Always know that you are beautiful, important, unique, wonderful and talented. Your dreams are valid. Speak up and trust me someone will hear you. Believe in yourself, do what you want, take chances, get the right information and you can do more than you think. Dare to be ambitious and don’t let others define you cause you are enough. Lastly never settle.
This women’s month we celebrate Nozipho’s determination in using her craft to encourage young people to move beyond their limits.
Image: Supplied