Co-founders and owners of the brand Kombonation, Kgotso “Slem” Selomah (25) and Kabelo “Freshthings” Sello (29) are what we call a true reflection of what it means to come from the township. They are Soweto, and Soweto lives in them. That is what their work is all about.
Hailing from Central Western Jabavu in Soweto. The identity, Kombonation, leaps from where its creators reside.
Kombonation is quite a quirky label that sounds iconic to the ear. Even the co-founders speak of their brand so profoundly and of importance. Impressive!
During an interview with the duo, they told Mgosi that their brand is mistaken for many things. But what it actually stands for is:
“Kreators of ikonik art that kan be seen, worn & felt through style, musik & kulture,” Slem said.
Kombonation
Selomah and Sello stated that what makes their brand stand out from the rest, is the fact that purchasing the Kombonation merch is like taking home a piece of art and being able to wear it on your chest. Sold!
Speaking to the publication about how their label came about. Slem and Freshthings took us back as to where it started which was in 2018.
“After leaving another streetwear brand in pursuit of making funktional art through fashion,” they said.
If you have not noticed, the pair uses the “k” in every word that has the same sound as the letter as their brand starts with the letter “k”. That is pretty dope!
Why clothing and/or fashion we asked, “When we host exhibitions in the hood, the prints don’t really sell, yet the interest in the art is notable. Klothing is something people easily resonate with so the merger was a no brainer, the founders explained.
Kombonation is a conglomerate of expressions. Which does not limit the designers to clothing, because they are both skilled in the production of visual art, music, sport, amongst a host of other fascists.
HOPES AND DREAMS
One of the brand’s biggest dreams is to make art accessible especially through functional art, exhibitions, workshops and cultural events.
Kgotso and Kabelo also hope to turn existing abandoned spaces into arts and cultural community centres as part of their future plans.
The artists also expressed that, “Spaces where art and expression meet is our ultimate goal.”
12. A physikal & online store will be up & running, providing even to international art kollektors & the like.
Least favourite thing about being a designer: “The repetitive nature of the process & making sure there’s a minimal amount of mistakes in the end product,” said Kombonation.
FUN FACTS:
- 80% of Kombonation is run by persons under the age of 25, making the future inevitably sukcessful.
- Kombonation musik will not be available on mainstream streaming platforms but on its own web store where all the art & merchandise is also available.
- The founders of Kombonation are a couple that believes that love can take one places greed will not.
