Thabo Kopele’s collection inspired by individuality, personal style

Fashion designer Thabo Kopele believes individuality is more than a style statement; it is the driving force behind every personal look and his latest collection.

The 28-year-old designer, based between Johannesburg and Cape Town, founded his namesake label eight years ago and recently unveiled Bo Ausi Ba Skoon , a collection inspired by the distinctive ways South Africans express themselves through dress.

“ Bo’ausi Baskoon , or Bo’abuti Baskoon , translates to ‘our clean sisters’ or ‘our clean brothers’,” he says. “The collection is inspired by individuality and personal style, playing with the juxtaposition of textures and proportions.”

Kopele unveiled the collection through The Jozi Collective, which opened its latest fashion pop-up to the creative industry in Kramerville, Sandton, earlier this month.

Under the theme “Home As We Know It”, the curation brought together Kopele alongside fellow designers Fikile Sokhulu, Nhlanhla Masemola, Thabo Khumalo, Oyama Gonintebe and Mmaphuti Movundlela into a meeting space of creative entrepreneurs whose work reflects the richness, craftsmanship and evolving language of contemporary SA fashion.

Far from being a newcomer in the local fashion landscape, The Jozi Collective has established itself as an important platform connecting independent designers with buyers, media and consumers while creating opportunities for local labels to grow and showcase their work.

“Right now, it’s such an interesting time where everyone is kind of finding their niche and finding a sweet spot within their personal style, and it’s so beautiful to just witness,” he says.

Kopele grew up in the Vaal, where he developed an early fascination with the local fashion subcultures that would go on to shape his creative identity and fashion journey.

“I grew up in a small town called Vanderbijlpark, but many of my clothing influences came from my cousins and friends that lived in the neighbouring townships of Sebokeng and Sharpeville,” he says.

Curious and creatively driven, Kopele’s fashion journey took shape in his late teens, when subcultures such as s khothane and hip-hop dominated the youth scene.

Inspired by the distinctive styles around him, he approached a family member to teach him how to sew.

“It was around late grade 10, and around the time when dashikis were in fashion, but I couldn’t find them anywhere. That’s when I went to a cousin from Sharpeville that worked in a clothing factory, and I asked her if I could come learn how to sew over the weekends.

“Although it would take me two weeks to sew a shirt, she gave me the freedom to kind of do my own thing and gain confidence behind the machine.”

Kopele pursued his fashion design studies at Stadio, following in the footsteps of celebrated alumni such as Rich Mnisi, Thebe Magugu and Wanda Lephoto.