He studied fashion design at SEWAFRICA in Johannesburg Central, and recently completed his bead designing advanced skills with his mentor Monareng Mahloko taking him under her wing. In 2018 Don single-handedly founded and launched his fashion brand DR.SSTYLES Styling Agency, making him the first designer/stylist to sign under the same agency.
“I discovered my passion for fashion back in high school in 2014. At the time a group of friends and I had a small crew called Y.W.B (Young Wild Boys). Our primary aim was always to dress up, look the part and out dress every guy at school” Don said.
About the agency
DR.SSTYLES Styling Agency is a creative house whereby it also houses all creatives from photographers, models, designers, stylist agents, bloggers, and any department that completes the art it caters for. Since Don is the first designer/ stylist registered under the agency, his full-time job ranges from being the agency’s in-house service provider, to dropping all his collection within the agency itself.
Now since the celebrated stylist has just completed bead designing advanced skills. He's about to drop his first batch of bead work with MARIA collection ( Maria is the name derived from Don’s late mother) with its own segment. Currently that is what Don fully enjoys working on. "everything I am presently doing, I am good at it. From pattern making to a final product, I wave my magic in that department" Don confidently said.
Don’s fashion design streak resounded through all other spheres of fashion. In a short period of time, he managed to style the whole collection of the Newton Fashion Show for Khala Garb & I Run Jozi in 2018. Once more in 2018 alone, he rubbed shoulders with big names such as musician Anathi, and actor Khulu Skanjana. On Anathi’s part, he put up a show by styling his wardrobe for daytime at Durban July 2018, continuing with his impressive run by designing Khulu Skanjana’s Heritage 2018 set-up. It is his trailblazing work that always seems to be a living embodiment for the Mashashane rising star in the fashion industry. He also reveals that his most favourite part about being a fashion designer besides free stuff, is seeing more people appreciating what he does. “When I get to a venue, immediately after introducing myself, or telling people what I do, everyone else will go on about how aesthetic I look, nodding with a pleased fashion all the way” said Don. For extra work, options and keeping up with the latest fashion trends, in addition he mentions that he looks to the internet, and all around adventures for an ideal source of inspiration. “The aim is to dress up, make connections, do some research on what is making waves on the streets, and most importantly sketching ideas daily” he said.
In Don’s words he further states “ I don’t have a favourite designer as such but I do have icons I look up to for inspiration. Parallel Williams, Tom Ford, Kanye West, The late Virgil Abloah make up the list of any perfect choice as far as my interest in fashion is concerned. Locally and in the celebrity line-up, I vouch for Scoop Makhathini and the late Ricky Rick. They set up everything that is happening now in the music scene with style and swag.”
In this day and age, being a trendsetter keeps you in the loop and a step ahead of your competition. A trend follower means that you admire a good piece of work of your choice, and you may as well adopt the style and fashion that comes with it. Speaking contrastingly, Don is neither a trendsetter or a trend follower. He enjoys creating pieces that he only knows his clients will fit in elegantly, and suit perfectly. Long story cut short, his work of art is timeless, and therefore will see many more generations come and go.
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