NEVILLE MASONDO ON PAVING THE WAY FOR BRIDAL COUTURE

Fashion designer Neville Masondo tells us how he followed his dream to become a bespoke bridal fashion designer.

Growing up, fashion was always a big part of Neville’s life. From a young age, he wanted to do anything and everything in fashion.

“I grew up in a very small neighbourhood, everybody knew me as the fashionista until I studied fashion design and my journey then started.”

Initially, he studied public finance and accounting but it never spoke to his soul. Born to create luxury, bespoke fashion, he happily followed his heart and enrolled at the Tshwane University of Technology where he studied fashion design and technology.

“The decision to specialise with bridal, red carpet and bespoke is just my love for craftsmanship detail,” he says, “I’ve always loved bridal wear, I thought it was very royal, whimsical and very fairy tale, and that’s what I’m all about.”

He put in the work to turn his dreams into reality and entered numerous design competitions to get his name out there, as his friend and fellow designer, Orapeleng Modutle can attest.

“Neville is probably one of the most original couturiers that I know who has always been obsessed about bridal wear, and creating beautiful moments,” says Orapeleng.

“He’s obsessed about always creating new moments and I think that’s really what makes him such a strong designer.”

The aspiring designer got practice making himself heard in a big family including his brother Ofentse Masondo.

“When Neville started his career, at first we doubted it as a family,” he says, “but as soon as he started gaining skill, we saw that this guy is really talented.”

It is clear as day why Neville dresses so many public figures and among them, TV presenter and model Ayanda Thabethe may just be his biggest fan.

“Neville can take an idea that you gave him and he can blow it up and make it even more beautiful,” she explains, “his style is very personalised, he will really cater to exactly what you want and pays very good attention to detail.”

People regularly cross a room to get a closer look at a Masondo masterpiece, but what is the process behind his creations?

“The process in creating a collection and the conceptualisation process differs with each and every collection, because I just go with what I see and with what I get inspired with,” he says.

From launching his fashion career and line in his grandmother’s garage in Ga-rankua, to becoming a bespoke designer for some of South Africa’s top figures, Neville’s story is truly one of humble beginnings and we can’t wait to see what masterpiece he designs next.