Katlego Mokwana is a young black female, who is a fashion enthusiast and better yet a fashion designer. The founder of the brand Mother of Gao, established her clothing and accessories line in the Vaal. A city which she originates, located in the South of Gauteng.
Talking to the brand maker, about how her love for clothing and fashion came about. This is what she had to say: “Most brands don’t cater to my type of aesthetic so I wanted to make clothes I like.”
Bringing out the purpose behind creating the brand in the year 2021, Mother of Gao, was created solely because:
“I would get annoyed every time I went shopping for clothes since fashion brands don’t really cater for plus size girls and decided I want to make clothes for myself which led to to go study fashion,” Katlego said.
Mother of Gao
The journey as a maker started when Katlego was doing her first year of varsity in 2017. Although, she believes that her journey of making items that spoke true to who she is only began after varsity in 2021. That is the very same year she had made the decision to register the brand.
Mokwana is the only founder, that alone makes her brand noteworthy. Including the fact that she uses natural dyes and makes reversible items. That is super dope!
Deriving from the name Gaopaleloe, which is the fashion enthusiast’s daughter’s name. The name gets its inspiration from the clothing designer being a mother to her daughter Gaopaleloe, which is Gao for short. How beautiful!
Mother of Gao is centred around sustainability and using natural as a medium to add colour to its products.
With the “aim to embody a sense of tranquility that is found in nature”, Mother of Gao is known for its slow fashion brand. The main goal as suggested by the designer, is to contribute positively to the environment by introducing sustainable production processes. Wherever they are able to.
HOPES AND DREAMS
Mother of Gao aspires to have a sustainable clothing made with organic textiles. Which we can say it already does with its inspiration that comes from anything and everything.
“In moments and places that resonate with my childhood experiences or whatever I feel connected to at the time,” as written in her website.
This also includes having an in-house cmt. To expand the brand so that it caters interior design, not just fashion.
Significantly, the dream is to see the brand have an in-house cmt and receiving acknowledgement from a global scale, “the rest is honestly in God’s will,” stated Mokwana.
Least favourite thing about being a designer: “Definitely sewing, I can’t wait to outsource that skill,” said the costumier.
FUN FACTS:
- Katlego is a self taught DJ.
- Mother of Gao is basically who the designer is because it is inspired by her daughter Gaopaleloe.
- The fashion designer is a God fearing woman, who involves God in everything she does.