plus-size south african fashion label mobu by melo releases stunning collection

Mobu By Melo is a South African plus-size fashion label created by 25-year-old Mamello Mosase. A Qwaqwa-born woman from the eastern Freestate, Mosase’s rural roots followed her to Johannesburg where she moved to pursue her designer dreams.

“I was born into a world of art, music, hard work, community, resistance and beautiful things; these are all gifts I received from the two women who raised me, my grandmother and late mother,”   Mosase told Kaffein Magazine.

“I spent days with my father in his garden, watching him mourn the death of the love of his life and finally having his full attention without him randomly getting distracted by mothers’ beauty and theatrics. He taught me about soil as God, I listened and Mobu, which translates to “soil”, was born to sum up all I gathered from my father: Mobu- Modimo, Badimo. God, the creator. God, the Gods.”

Her current collection, Seilatsatsi, presents fashion-forward, flattering cuts were inspired by the colors, patterns, and construction of the Thebetha created and worn by the Basotho women of South Africa.

Clothing: @mobu_by_melo
Photographer:@kgomotso_neto
Makeup: @khanyifiona
Creative direction: @kaffeinmagazine
Model: @khanyifiona, @mandylerato, @2wi_ltb, @alpha_wande, @thandananimaluleke
Location: Daveyton, Johannesburg South Africa