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CURVY AND BEAUTIFUL!

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image The Monte Elegance line designer, Mbali Kunene.

The brains behind
Monte Elegance...

I am a 28-year-old woman who has loved designing from a young age. I describe myself as a couture designer/artist as that is my forte.
As the last born of six girls, I am lucky to have so much support from my entire family.
After completing my O’level at St Mark’s High School I went on to study Tourism Management at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).
However, there was always something missing in my; head there was always a voice saying; ‘You know who you are and where you are going’ and I decided to take a risk and follow my passion which is designing. That is when I enrolled for a National Diploma in Clothing Manufacturing and Fashion Design at F Wilson Design Institute in Pretoria, full-time for three years. I completed my studies last year in December. I am currently working from home, running Monte Elegance Design Studio. From of September 1, 2015 the studio will be based at the Checkers Business Park.


Falling in love with
design/art.....

I can’t remember a time when I did not love designing. My childhood friends still remind me even now about how I always came up with different styles for my dolls, little did they know that I would raid my mother’s closet and tear clothes that she had not worn in a while.
For as long as I can remember designing has been woven into my life. During my working days as Tourism Information Officer I would spend most of my time sketching my imaginary runway collections.  ‘Retail Therapy’ for me has always been collecting fabrics. I source my fabrics from the Republic of South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania and Nigeria.
Do you recall your very
first designer outfit?

Yes I do. It was a Victorian-inspired two piece made out of calico. My first project ever to sketch and sew. The jacket had a shawl collar on the front left side and a tailored collar on the front right. It was embellished, with feathers and sequins. I’ve always loved to break the rules.  If I can sketch it then it’s possible to sew it.

inspiration behind the
name Monte Elegance...

To understand that fashion for (fuller figured) women with figure variations is, it’s important to understand what it hasn’t been - which is fashionable. It is hard to find garments that fit well in styles you want and of quality you want to invest in. I came up with the name Monte Elegance. Monte - French word for ascending elegance, classiness. An ascending demand for classic garments by women with figure variations.

Your targeted clientele...

She is bold, she has a figure variation and she celebrates her unique self no matter what others say. She is attending her Matric dance, she is a bridesmaid, she is attending a wedding, she is getting married and she is attending a party.

As a curvy woman yourself, do you think fashion does not favour the full figure?

Fashion houses do consider fuller figures (figure variations). Fashion houses that I know prefer to use the international standardised size for their campaigns and ready-to-wear garments.
I have been challenged to showcase my garments in fashion shows outside this country since the requirement is size 10 for model size. However, that has not stopped me from planning a Monte Elegance Fashion Show that will strictly be modelled by women with figure variations.

Your bridal expo dresses were
amazing! What inspired the lace
and chiffon designs?

The Clothing Range I showcased at the Bridal Expo was a ‘Just My Curve’ Range which was inspired by the movement of a flowing river as it curls up in motion. I used a lot of lace and soft tulle to create clean silhouettes.
I cut the lace and assemble it, then sew it by hand on a garment in layers to create a 3D effect (haute couture). What a bridesmaid would wear or a bride wears as a reception dress.   

Who would you like
to dress in future?

Her Royal Highness Make LaMbikiza. I think her personality resonates with what all Monte Elegance is about, even though I’ve never met her in person and Nene Leakes of the House Wives of Atlanta. I  Love how she mixes her feminine stride with androgynous garments.

Advice to full figured women in choice of clothes to wear

We are all innately different. So imagine stepping out in chic garments perfectly fitting you. I challenge you to go to a fabric shop and spot a fabric you like, pull back your hair face a mirror and place the fabric around your neck.
If the fabric brightens up your eyes and brings out your complexion, buy at least three metres of it and go and challenge a fashion designer to make a garment that will suit your body shape and enhance your appearance and self-esteem. “Leave your magazine at home.”

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