Her Story

Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana is an award-winning fashion designer and owner of the leading women’s wear label, Thabo Makhetha. Established in South Africa in 2009, the brand has become a leading name in African luxury fashion, drawing global recognition for its incorporation of authentic Basotho blankets into its designs. These blankets, deeply rooted in Basotho culture, serve as a symbol of status and history, and Thabo has translated them into a collection of exquisite winter coats and jackets that pay homage to her heritage in Lesotho and South Africa.

Her career took off in 2014 with a debut at Vancouver Fashion Week, where her work was praised for its innovative use of traditional fabrics and modern tailoring. Since then, she has showcased her collections in major fashion hubs, including South Africa Fashion Week, Milan, and Lesotho. In 2023, she continued to make strides in the global fashion scene, as her work was featured in *Vogue Italia*. Additionally, she was nominated for the AWIEF (African Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum) award, further highlighting her contributions to African fashion.

Thabo has earned numerous accolades, including being named a Top 40 under 40 business leader by the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber in 2014 and winning the Impact Award for Design Excellence. Her "Starburst Coat" was nominated for the Most Beautiful Object in South Africa in 2016, and in 2017, she was recognized as one of South Africa’s Top 200 Young South Africans. Thabo is also an alumna of the Mandela Washington Fellowship in 2018.