As a young boy raised in Kimberley (Northern Cape), celebrated designer Orapeleng Modutle watched and learned as his mom and gogo did hand-stitching and needlework. He drew inspiration from them and from life, and now fashions his own distinctive clothes under his OM Style Avenue brand, based in Pretoria. He has dressed celebrities such as Bonang Matheba, Nandi Mngoma and Boity Thulo.
Orapeleng's OM Style Avenue tells visual stories and crafts elegant, contemporary garments that reflect the beauty and grace of African women. And with the local scene conquered, his goal is to win over the rest of the continent and wow the world with his bridal collection.
We checked his diary for a glimpse into his life:
06:00: I'm struggling to wake up, and 30 minutes later I check my Instagram feed before reading my daily motivational book.
07:00: Hit the gym for an hour’s workout. I enjoy sticking to an exercise routine I love and staying on top of my calories.
08:00: Back home for a quick shower and a light, healthy breakfast while checking the day's plans.
10:00: I meet with the fabric suppliers. The choice of material is very important and affects creativity and design.
12:00: I get to Bonang for a fitting while she's on set. I steal her for a moment and the dress fits like a glove. No alterations needed, she looks amazing.
14:00: In the next three hours we have back-to-back fittings and collections, minor alterations and finishing touches in-between. 20:00: At home for dinner, some salmon and mashed potatoes that's quick and easy to prepare.21:00: In bed with the TV remote, catching up on my favourite series or movies or I do research. 23:00: I’m out but ready to do it all over again tomorrow to meet different clients and make more magnificent OM Style Avenue gowns.
