The Young Visionary: Thabo Kopele

By Anslem Joseph

Talented and young designer Thabo Kopele, based in the Vaal Triangle South of Johannesburg discussed his journey into becoming a designer with Find Your ID NYC. Kopele is nominated by FYID NYC as a Global Fashion Trendsetter on ShopLocalDesigners.com. Learn more about Thabo Kopele's journey in the fashion industry in the interview below. 

Q: Tell us a little about yourself Thabo! What or who inspired you to become a designer? 

A: My name is Thabo Kopele. I am a 22-year-old fashion designer born and raised in The Vaal Triangle (South of Johannesburg) and I’m currently based in Johannesburg. I primarily make contemporary and minimal clothing and I express my narratives that way as well. I try my best to tell stories that are not only relatable to most but very true to who I am. It all started in primary school, I actually wanted to be an art curator at a museum or gallery. And in terms of fashion, I was raised to always dress in a clean manner. My mom was very strict about that, and I get most of my sense of style from her. It was only later on in my childhood that I started taking quite a keen interest in certain subcultures that are native to South Africa, like the “skhothane” era. I was never active in any of the things skhothanes did but, I always looked for the positive things in that subculture and let those very same positive things influence me. I was then later introduced to skating and streetwear, and that’s when I later met Matthew Kieser, founder and creative director of Sol-Sol menswear, in 2017 which I was very heavily inspired by him and his work. When I was in high school, I wasn’t always the extrovert I am today but, I still wanted to express myself without saying a word. Fashion did exactly what I needed it to do and still does. Having to walk into a room and set a statement without saying a word was a skill I wanted to acquire and I believe I have.

Q: Do you consider your designs to be gender fluid? 

A: Yes, I do. There is still a lot of progress to be made as far as representing as many humans through my fashion as possible but, I strongly feel that I am going in the right direction as far as making clothing that is appealing to everyone. The goal right now is to make my fashion appealing, personal, and open for anyone who wears the garments to rewrite the sentiment behind owning a Thabo Kopele garment into their own.

Q: How does it feel to be so young and accomplished? What advice would you give to other people that are young or are aspiring designers?

A: I don’t really feel accomplished yet. I think there is a ton that I would like to learn and experience not only here in South Africa but also around the world. And that is a realization I never thought I would come to. I actually thought that I would be content with what I have achieved so far but I actually want to do so much more. And that is the advice I would give, to keep pushing the bar as much as you can and keep your head up at all costs as the journey will not be kind on you and those around you but it is all ever so rewarding in so many different ways. 

Q: Did the place you grew up in, Vaal Triangle, influence any of your clothing design styles?

A: Definitely. I am very grateful to have grown in that town, the people and culture that keep everyone afloat are very rich and pungent in keeping things genuine and real. From the abundance of nature, the manner in which people dress and the way Vaal people are obsessed with clothing in a very subtle way is and has always been fueling me. I am also quite happy with the fact that I was raised around so many different demographics and that my story is not as predictable as one might think. The town has made me who I am today and I am proud to have been raised by it.

Q: What are your future goals as a fashion designer? Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with?

A: I would like to break into more fashion capitals around the world and solidify my position within those cities in a manner that is a lot more organic. I would love to work with some of the brands that I believe helped raise me so that I can tell my own personal stories about them through whatever work I would be doing with them. This also means that I would be very selective about who I work with and who I let into my personal creative space and who I allow my work to be influenced by as collaboration is a delicate process.

Q: What story do your designs tell in your Summer/Spring line The Duxberry and your pre-Fall line?

A: The Duxberry was a tribute to a neighborhood I lived in after graduating from high school and moved to Sandton in Johannesburg back in 2017. It was a way of me telling the world about this beautifully gated community that was overflowing with elegance and opulence. The pre-fall 18 collection was when I had recently discovered a way for me to properly articulate my love for the minimal aesthetic. It meant a lot for me to not only to make the collection but the shoot thereof also means a lot as I then formed very strong relationships with the people that helped me make it happen and have ever since come to my aid for all the other projects I have released since then.

Q: How does it feel to have your own label after your name and what was the process/story of getting your own label?

A: Well, I had this lecturer of mine who taught me fashion history in 2017. Her name is Aldine Friedman, and she taught that everything in fashion has always had a story behind it, from the “Le belle époque” era all the way to present-day fashion, there is always a rhyme or reason for things. This made me think that if I want to do something impactful, something worth knowing about or even remembering, I would have to have something with meaning. The day I decided that I wanted to start my brand I thought that I would name it after me as I would not only then feel compelled to produce beautiful work (because it would bare my name) but also because I wanted the brand to be the best representation of myself and that would be a good enough narrative or meaning behind it.

Q: What future projects/designs are you working on?

A: I am currently working on an industrial design studio from Cape Town on an exciting project that I cannot fully disclose but I am happy to be working with them. Apart from that, I am also working on another collection for next year which also has a few exciting features to it as well.

Q: As an African fashion designer, do you think that there is enough diversity in the fashion industry? Also, if you could change anything about the fashion industry what would it be?

A: I personally think that there is certainly progress, especially after the racism in the world has been such an eye-opener to those who chose to turn a blind eye on it. I think that more African fashion capitals need to be included in the international fashion calendar. This might also help the world view on how diverse African fashion has truly evolved and how diverse it has become.

Q: What do you want your legacy to be in the fashion industry?

A: I would love for African fashion to be viewed in many more ways than just our tribal or traditional prints. I would like there to be many facets that younger African designers would be bold enough to embrace even when it means that would express their own narratives. Hopefully, this will help change the rest of the world’s view on our continent and its people. African minimalism is a thing and it will live for much longer than the people who embrace or help shapeshift it.

Thabo Kopele has a bright future ahead of him in the fashion industry. With being young and accomplished already, Thabo is paving the way for the future for other aspiring designers and helping change the future of the fashion industry! Don’t forget to continue to follow Thabo Kopele's journey by following him on Instagram and be sure to follow Find Your Identity NYC on Facebook and Instagram to find more stories of different designers.