Popular South African designer Bongiwe Walaza has veered away from the usual fashion designs and this time came up with a style that represents the post-apartheid democracy in the country. Walaza is known for creating designer wedding dresses for young and older women. Her designs have reached other markets such as in Switzerland, United States and Japan. She revealed that she was inspired to create a different line when she was still growing up in the poor region of Eastern Cape. In this case, she created mermaid-tailed skirts, 1950s-inspired summery dresses, jackets with wide waistbands and reinvented creations inspired from the traditional Xhosa tribe. Walaza revealed that people wearing traditional outfit in the past have been considered uneducated. That is why she exerted much effort to change the perception by maintaining the tradition and letting everyone know that there’s nothing wrong by wearing these clothes. Her efforts have paid off. These days, people are now opting for African inspired wedding dresses with matching bridal lingerie rather than the tradition white ones inspired by Western culture. Despite the tough economic times, Walaza said that she will still continue with her work and continue to inspire the public through her clothes.
