Strangely we walk up the stairs to meet famous fashion designer David Tlale at his offices only to be greeted by doors with Mandela & Tambo Attorneys written on them.
Immediately, I thought of what an honour it was to be working at the offices that once housed the nation’s liberation stalwarts. But Tlale bursts my bubble when he says these offices were re-created during the filming of the famous Madiba movie Long Walk to Freedom.
He says the building still represents a great part of our history and that is what makes him proud to be working in that space.
“These now act as a symbol of heritage. Whether it was for film or any other thing, they still hold the memory of the city, and that represents the authenticity of our brand.
“We always try to be in spaces that actually matter,” says the fashion guru, adding that he strategically placed the company at the heart of Joburg instead of being in Sandton or Rosebank.
The designer recently released his bridal collection, and although it isn’t his first one, he says the last two were different because now his creations are more practical for ordinary people.
“Three years ago the collection was more about fashion, then next we decided to do more traditional gowns fused with fashion because brides of today want to see themselves in the gowns.
So now we thought we should bring them (bridal gowns) closer to everybody to make sure people can see themselves in a David Tlale dress,” he says.
Tlale is heading to Lagos, Nigeria next week for the Lagos Bridal Week show where he will display his bridal collection.
Then he is back in Joburg to showcase his collection on May 26.
“And thereafter I want to continue to build a global brand,” he says.
The David Tlale brand has existed for 16 years but only now does he feel that the journey as a brand has started.
“We now have a voice and when we say our opinion... it matters because of all the work we have done.
“We can back it up with a business that is still growing in Africa.”
The journey has been a six-pack journey, he says.
“I always say this is a six-pack journey of business because when you want a six pack you must wake up very early in the morning, cut out certain foods and make sacrifices. Things others would never see but you have to keep doing,” he says.
Alongside his hard work, his spiritual life has also been a perti- nent ingredient in getting to where he is today.
“My trust and belief in God is what keeps me going. Our business is a really volatile one and it is really hard to make a profitable business as it takes time,” he says. Even though it has been many years of preparing the grounds, he now feels the time has come for his brand to make global strides; something he wishes young designers to emulate.
His story is a simple one, “that I do care about human beings, I care about life and I care about change”.
“As a country we have massive history, we all just have to make it count.”
@AmandaMaliba