By: @FeliciaT_Mos
Ernest Mahomane is one of South Africa’s fashion stars on the rise. From growing up in the south of Johannesburg to having his own show at Mercedes Benz Cape Town Fashion Week, it has been quite a journey. I sat down with the talented man to learn a bit more about him.
So, let’s start with your childhood… Where and how was your up bringing?
Well I was born in Limpopo, literally in the middle of nowhere, at my Grandmother’s. Basically, it was just a house on top of some mountain but nothing is left there now. Thereafter my mom and I moved to the south of Johannesburg and moved from one family member to another until we eventually moved in with my dad. I, however, lived in Soweto for a very long time, but I didn’t spend a lot of time in Soweto because my parents didn’t want me to be a “ghetto boy” (for lack of a better word). They worked very hard to send me to a better school in nearby Lenasia and they kept me close to ensure that I still got that family time.
What type of high school teen were you?
In high school I got interested in acting, TV presenting to be precise. My dad happened to know a few of those old school actors and through those connections I got into that world. I even had a casting agent and ended up booking quite a few jobs for a while.
When did you realise that you wanted to get into fashion?
Fashion design has always been in my family. My grandmother taught both my mom and myself. Only once I matriculated did I see the opportunity to take it further so I studied fashion while still acting. Though, in varsity I was doing more acting than I was designing, I could’ve grown into something more because it was moving fairly quickly but I still had to continue studying.
Where did you study?
I studied and graduated from UJ.
Thereafter, what was your journey in fashion?
I interned for a couple of designers after varsity. I learned a lot from them especially on how to actually be a designer. After that I became a buyer for EdCon but soon realised it just was not for me so I started my own little brand. I worked from my garage and I tried to get things into stores but I didn’t really have the right resources to do that, so instead I focused on clients directly.
Then you took a big leap of faith, tell me about that…
In late 2012 I decided to pack up and move to Cape Town – I didn’t have plan – I literally just thought I’d catch a flight and get any job to survive in the meantime, even if it was like a car guard or waiter. Fortunately enough, the day I landed I went to Gavin Rajah’s studio and asked for an opportunity and within a week I was working for him. It was a great blessing because I really did learn a lot from him about how to be a business man. Many people forget this is a business and I think if people remembered that and treated their work accordingly the local industry would grow exponentially.
And next thing you’re showing at MBFW, how’d you feel on the show day?
I showed for the first time in 2013 at the Gala Evening and coincidentally it was exactly a year after that faithful day I walked into Gavin’s studio. Honestly, it was such a long journey to get to that point it was a very “oh my goodness” kind of day.
And finally, what advice would you give to aspiring designers?
Just know that it will be hard, as much as you only hear about the good parts, it is extremely difficult. Money will also be tight but just work hard and you will succeed eventually. Everything does happen when it’s supposed to; you just have to keep going.
FLAIR 
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