Yo familia we’re back again with this week’s Fashion Friday and today we got the chance to talk with @kgosisalthiel and interview him on his brand @salthiel_ , a true gem in today’s South African fashion scene, be sure to watch out for what’s coming and see the evolution from here on out‼️
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
My mother.
Seeing how you’ve been able to put your religious beliefs at the core of everything you’ve done, is that something you’d like to see more in the SA fashion scene
Satan is found in everything, including fashion and so yes, we need more ‘fashion warriors’ in Christ.
How important do you think it is to rebrand?
It’s not of great importance to rebrand if the overall image of your brand works well and your brand comfortably functions and adapts to change. In my case, I changed and I couldn’t really relate to my brand so I need that paradigm shift.
If you could choose 3 brands/people to collaborate with in the coming years who would they be and why?
Pyntful – I’m good friends with the owner of the brand, Callan Gallias, I love his mind and he inspires me. I believe that Pyntful and Salthiel generally have a lot to say and so a collaboration would simply be dangerous.
Rofhiwa Kutama – A good friend of mine who has a crazy eye, simply creative in nature, he is gifted. He’s videography and photography skills are impressive and I look forward to working with him.
Thulaganyo Sekati – A childhood friend whom I’d like to design a runway collection with one day. He’s a fashion design student, I’ve seen some of his ideas and concepts and I take them to heart.
What’s been the biggest return for you and your hard work?
Growth, wisdom and discipline from God has been my biggest return.
Who has been your favourite creative, which you’ve worked alongside with?
It’s always a pleasure to work with Monwabisi Sekwane.
What do you feel have been the biggest differences between the start of your brand and where you are at now?
I think that my brand has matured well and has found its purpose in Christ.
How did your brand name, “SALTHIEL” and its logo become conceptualised?
Salthiel means ‘Lent of God’. Salthiel is my second birth name which I share with my late grandfather and uncle. I decided to make my birth name my brand name because it’s unique and has a solid foundation of meaning. The relationship between the brand name and symbol is hard to define; they just complement each other well. I understand the beauty of the symbol and I take it to heart, but what it means to me is hard to say – it’s a blessing.
If you could describe your style and work into one word or sentence what would it be and why?
Distressing is my favourite hobby. There’s something about leaving garments a little bit destroyed and I love to express this.
What’s something you want to change in the current fashion scene?
Not enough money is invested in fashion, in South Africa. We’re terribly behind in manufacturing capabilities, technology, and fabric development. There’s also simply not enough sustainable channels for local designers to present themselves to the world.
Seeing you’ve been in this industry since 2020, what development over the past few years have you come to appreciate in the current fashion industry?
I love the fact that people are not shy to express themselves. The creatives that have emerged over these past few years have already made a huge impact in the fashion industry – it’s beautiful to see.
