15 Aug 2017

 A youthful tailor, Mr Tlhagiso Malgas who was born and raised in Molepolole is determined to continue where his mother left, in the tailoring business.

He is determined to preserve and perfect a family heritage that his mother imparted on all her seven children. 

Growing up in a family where tailoring was a source of income propelled him to follow suit.

The 33-year-old Malgas, whose business is based in Molepolole, tapped the trade from his mother.

He used to watch his mother make clothes for her customers, and that instilled a passion for tailoring.  “I was raised by an imaginative, creative and incredibly talented woman. Her talent in tailoring inspired me to become a tailor. She is a big part of why I am a tailor,” he said.

The inspiration he got from his mother propelled him to follow suit. Interestingly, the story of Malgas is of passion defeating societal stereotype. 

From time immemorial tailoring was known as a female domestic chore.

However, in this era where unemployment has besieged the youth, one needs to boldly throw away societal stereotypes in the dustbins of history and make a living out of what he possesses. 

By the look of things the youngster is steadily making his name in the women dominated cadre.

He started his tailoring business in 2005, many of his peers thought he was insane and ridiculed him as a woman inwardly. However, it did not deter him from pursuing his childhood passion.

Mr Malgas’ business also alters garments such as shirts, hats, dresses, suits, uniforms, curtains and has added embroidery to his products.

Being from a family of tailors finding a workshop was never a challenge as he uses his mother’s workshop to operate the business.

His clients entails individuals, private companies within the village, and is yet to try his luck with government departments once he completes his PPADB license.

The father of two said the secret behind his unique designs is attributed to the words of one of the most respected fashion designers in the world, Alexander McQueen -“as a designer, you have always got to push yourself forward; you have always got to keep up with the trends or make your own trends. That is what I do.”

The creative young man said McQueen words made him a better tailor.

Mr Malgas attends fashion shows and exhibitions to keep up with the latest fashion and clothing trends.

Though he did not undertake any tailoring course, Mr Malgas believes ‘uniqueness’ in tailoring is vital to one aspiring to be a tailor of great reputation.

His dream is to see the business being transformed from tailoring into fashion design house as he believes that would enable him to spread his wings locally and abroad.

Like any other businesses, the tailoring enterprise has never been smooth sailing to Mr Malgas. 

The self-made tailor said one of the biggest challenges that hindered the growth of his business was space, stressing that his intention was to purchase big machines which would not be easy to operate in his mother’s workshop. 

He advises other youngsters to use their skills and talent to create employment for themselves. ENDS