Hello Broke Billionaire Fashion Lovers this week’s interview is with South Africa’s Emperor mens wear Paled Segapo the brains and the designer of the Brand Palse Homme. He has dressed celebrities such Aka, Max Methi and Proverb to name a few. In this interview he tells us about his brand and gives advice to young designers. Enjoy.
Siya Beyile: What is PALSE Homme all about?
Paledi Segapo: PH is a fashion label, specialising in men’s bespoke\tailor made wear. The brand is a business unit of PALSE, a three tier that business comprise Business, Image Consultancy services. PH showcases with the prestigious SA Fashion Week platform and Proverb (Idols exec producer\rap artist\radio personality) is the official brand ambassador for PH
Siya Beyile: What gave you the idea to name it Palse Homme?
Paledi: PALSE, prefix letters from Paledi Segapo. Homme evidently means man in French. I needed a name that has an international appeal. A brand name that’ll make a consumer think twice, and basically wonder what does it stands for. Fact that you are asking, mission is continuously accomplished, I’d like to think *smiles*
Siya Beyile: What do you think of men’s Fashion in South Africa?
Paledi: These are certainly exciting times for us creatives in the industry. SA men seem to be have developed immense confidence in locally customised wear. Which means men are following what the opposite sex have been long doing. They are definitely becoming more and more akin to local designer wear. Which is quite fantastic not only for the textile industry, but for our economy too, employment.
Siya: What do you think of the Fashion industry in South Africa? Are we growing?
Paledi: It depends how one looks at this. It is pretty unfair to put ourselves on the same level with international designers. The reason being, most of the world recognised names, have investors putting in a lot of money into business, as a designers such as Marc Jacobs, Karl Lagerfeld have international foot print visibility. And if you look at SA designers, how many of them have gravitated such, moreover, exporting to giant retail chains such as H & M for instance. This still makes us look like insignificant players on the international platform.On the contrary, SA boats a huge array of fantastic creatives. And there is no doubt that the game plan has changed. It will evidently take us bit of a while to be regarded as global players. I’m of the belief, however, that most designers have business logistics in place, treating their entities as formal business. Furthermore it is a matter of time, designers will eventually be able to attract potential investors for their entities.
Siya Beyile: As Paledi why did you decide to go into Mens Fashion?
Paledi: I don’t think as an artist you choose to embark in such a journey. This is synonymous to a calling I believe. You either have that je ne se quoi or not. In addition I’ve always been extremely passionate about tailored wear. I am fond of men’s clothes, for their meticulous finishing required, impeccable look and also fact that tailored wear requires discipline. Tailored wear is never over-designed making it timeless. A jacket or pair of pants today will remain eternally the same. It is only secondary attributes that will continue to evolve.
Siya Beyile: As a Designer what legacy do you want to leave behind in the industry
Paledi: I’m not of the notion embarking on a legacy to leave behind. I just love doing what I love the most, being a creative professional.
Siya: Who is the most stylish male in the world and why?
Paledi: (It is not fair for me to single out an individual in Mzansi, doesn’t make business sense for me)Scot Disick (from the Kardashians, he’s knows how fuse style with current trends yet still retaining his masculinity)
Siya: Where do you see your Brand in 10 years?
Paledi: Like any business, I have compiled mid\long term growth and marketing strategy. As a result, my team and I we constantly endeavour to execute accordingly. The consumer can therefore constantly keep an eye on PALSE brand whilst the plans unfold and the brand foot print becoming robust, pervasively visible.
Siya: What advice do you have for young designers?
Paledi: In the words of Karl Lagerfeld ‘Fashion is dangerous and ephemeral’
Siya: final questions, what could we expect from your show in the next Fashion week?
Paledi: My shows are always themed, My spring summer 2012 collection was titled Bond! James Bond. Autumn Winter 2012 was titled Holy Demons. For Autumn Winter 2013 I’ll showcasing in Sep\Oct this year, Well I’m still conceptualising the collection and fashion lovers can look forward to something challenging the way we think, dress.
Thank you to Paledi for an amazing interview that taught me a lot of things!
