Second in a series of blogs introducing our lecturers, we would like to present Molefi Innocent Mohape, our resident fundi on all things fashion.
Molefi is a graduate of the University of Johannesburg where he obtained a B-Tech in Fashion Design.
He currently lectures at Oakfields College’s East Rand campus, instructing first and second year fashion students in the subjects of fashion theory, technical drawing, visual studies, visual merchandising, design development and fashion forecasting, as well as the practical subjects pattern and garment construction I and II.
Molefi has extensive practical work experience in the industry; having completed his in-service training at the fashion house Marc and Michael.
He was a part-time lecturer at Sew Africa and part of a team of professionals at Eventually Africa alongside Soul City for the reality show ‘Kwanda’ where he taught disadvantaged South African communities basic skills, including sewing.
He also worked at Seriti, partnering with the Luwamba Project, to teach sewing to a community in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal.
Thereafter he worked as a freelance designer for the fashion house Matt White before rejoining Seriti, this time partnering with the Westonaria Organisation Workshop (WOW), again teaching sewing skills.
Throughout the years he has also worked on his own designs under the brand name M.I.M, creating wedding gowns, matric farewell dresses and suits, traditional outfits and casual outfits for clients.
Molefi believes the theoretical and practical subjects he teaches fits in seamlessly with the industry, giving his students an edge when it comes to finding jobs.
‘I believe the students from Oakfields College stand a fair chance to make it in their respective industries, as the learning environment is more intimate with only a few students per class. Lecturers are able to interact on a one-on-one basis with the students and are able to pick up on their strengths and weaknesses.’
What Molefi wants most for his students to learn from him is that the fashion industry is not only about glamour.
‘As future designers, they will have to work hard to be able to achieve everything they want within the fashion industry.’
