A young fashionista who avidly keeps up with all the latest industry trends, took centre stage when she stepped out in a striking dress created with the community’s favourite free newspaper, Helderberg Gazette.
Axola Mhlola who intricately designed and unbelievably pieced together the paper frock, took to the publication’s Facebook page with an image of her wearing the masterpiece inspired by her love for reading. An honour befitting to this week’s edition, which is the last before the print brand is merged with its sister publication DistrictMail. “For it to make others smile, encourage a culture of reading and inspire fellow aspirant artists to unlock their creativity. This is what I hope to achieve with my creation,” said the artistic 20-year-old from Lwandle, who will don the stylishly unique look at a street culture event which takes place in the township on Saturday 30 April.
Axola shared that the dress took her under two hours to complete. This after the idea had just come to her out of the blue.
“I worked on a design I once saw in a Nigerian television series years ago,” she added. The aspiring fashion designer has long been a talented artist who, as a Umnqophiso Primary School learner, honed her skills when enrolled in an Imibala programme aimed at nurturing creative and cultural abilities for competitive events. She stays fashion-forward by keeping up-to-date with trends, striving always to look beautiful and keeping an eye on celebrities walking the red carpet at televised events. She understands style as being an extension of expressing herself creatively as an artist.
While Axola has decided to pursue a business and hospitality management after matriculating from Khanyolwethu Secondary School, she definitely plans to realise her fashion dream, which has taken a back seat due to financial constraints. “What fuels my passion is believing everything is possible,” said Axola, who reckoned that fashion and art connect with her as a person because just like her creations, she too is beautiful and unique.
Axola shared she felt compelled to share a photo of her dress made of Helderberg Gazettes after being struck by the sheer quality of her own creative end-product. “The compliments I received validated my decision to show it off publicly.”
She urges young people to venture out to discover their talents, a brave quest she believes will pay dividends.
