Monday Feature - Kwandy The Stylist

KWANDY THE STYLIST

By Angela Nimah

Kwandile Dladla

A lover of fashion, style, art and photography, Kwandile Dladla is by far the most versatile, and sophisticated dressers in the industry. He says, “I am an artist who is versatile in all things that inspire me.”

Making his first appearance early last year as an entrepreneur at The Grove Market in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, where I myself became acquainted with him, I was marveled at the quality of female clothes he had on display; beautiful textures, colours and just the right size for those extra hips - or not, LOL. Kwandy* has an exceptionally sharp eye for class and exquisite things; he is more than just a merchant, but also a stylist, a freelance fashion editor for an online magazine, and a student.

His family played a big part in which he has become. Growing up in an environment where appearance really mattered, his father who he looked up to inspired his elegant style and learnt more from him and later from Italian styles on how quality really mattered when buying clothes.

Besides catering to females, Kwandy* doesn’t hesitate to show us just how creative he can be in the male department. A self-styled fashionista, he describes his own personal style as modern mixed with a bit of classic; a style that is inspired by Italian and South African fashion icons that bring life to tailored suits and ties. He says, “Suits not only show the wealth of a person but also the struggle in which they came.”

He goes on to say, “My father always told me, ‘learn to know your body in order to find the perfect fit.’ To me clothes are art in forms of fabric and cuts that come with it. This is the main reason why I am inspired by Italians; they take it seriously. It’s not about clothes alone, but a way of life and expression to show respect and etiquette.”