“VUT Fashion Show 2026 showcases student collections and alumni success stories, highlighting creativity, resilience and fashion entrepreneurship.”
05 November 2026 | Story by: Qhawekazi Memani | Picture: Peter Masela
Metsotso e 3 nako ya go bala.
Student collections and alumni success stories brought creativity and entrepreneurship into focus at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Fashion Show on 30 October 2026.
Held under the theme “Evolution: From Ready-to-Wear to Couture”, the event brought together fashion students, alumni, industry creatives and performers to celebrate emerging talent and explore how classroom skills can translate into sustainable careers.
Opening the event, Professor Johanna van Staden, Head of the Fashion Department, encouraged students to embrace their creative potential. Drawing inspiration from The Art of Possibility, she highlighted the courage required to turn ideas into achievements.
“Fashion is more than fabric, colour, and form. It is a language that tells stories about who we are, where we come from, and where we hope to go,” she said.
Referencing South African designer Thebe Magugu’s journey, Professor Van Staden reminded students that setbacks need not define their careers.
For Ms Nthabiseng Rantsatsi, founder of Dress by Braveness, fashion was an unexpected calling.
“Fashion chose me,” she reflected.
Raised with a grandmother who was a seamstress, Ms Rantsatsi arrived at VUT more than a decade ago unable to sketch or sew. Her strengths in mathematics and working with her hands, however, helped her excel in pattern construction and discover her creative identity. She established Dress by Braveness during her third year.
After graduation, repeated rejections from retail employers pushed her towards entrepreneurship. Her first matric dance dress earned her R2,500, marking the beginning of her business journey. She soon recognised that her work also helped clients feel confident and empowered.
“Your creativity has value. Never ever forget that,” she urged students, encouraging them to recognise fashion’s potential to create jobs and contribute to the economy.
VUT alumna Ms Lerato Lebakeng, founder of Lira L Designs, shared a similar message of determination. Having enrolled in 2022, she completed her diploma and advanced diploma by 2025. Her academic performance earned her a Supplemental Instruction leadership role, while making a dress for herself during her first year sparked her entrepreneurial ambitions.
When financial constraints delayed her honours studies, she approached her Head of Department for opportunities and secured a tutoring position from March to October 2026.
“Sometimes, you have to create opportunities for yourself rather than wait for them to find you,” she said.
A significant business opportunity followed an order for approximately six bridesmaids’ dresses. With less than two weeks before the wedding, the bride commissioned an intricate second wedding gown. Despite her initial doubts, Ms Lebakeng worked with her friend Kiarabetswe to deliver a gown that delighted the bride.
Today, Lira L Designs is profitable and pays Ms Lebakeng a monthly salary.
“Your first year is a foundation, not a limitation. Your graduation is a milestone, not a destination,” she reminded students.
The runway featured collections by first-year, second-year, third-year and advanced diploma students. Guest brands included Kotton Kingdom, Cartel, Grand Gateway, Miladys, TM Lager, Letuka, Sihle Creates, Itrend Apparel, Rise Clothing, Prima Clothing and VUT Advance.
Music, poetry, dance and live performances complemented the showcase. Miladys presented complimentary packages to the models, both guest speakers and Professor Van Staden, while the programme recognised the top four models for their contributions.
Through student collections and candid accounts of building fashion businesses, the show connected creative ambition with the realities of earning a living. For aspiring designers, the alumni’s experiences offered practical encouragement: develop your skills, seek opportunities and recognise the value of your work.