‘I am inspired by Pierre Cardin’
He has been a sensation on the field of play where he has not only scored vital goals but earned himself many accolades.
Since his transfer move to Bloemfontein Celtic in 2012, he has comfortably fitted in the jigsaw puzzle called Premier Soccer League in South Africa at his current home, Bidvest Wits. Now, Gabadinho Mhango is setting a fresh record—fashion. Actually, the Bidvest Wits and Flames forward has not only improved on the pitch, but also his sense of dressing. He is often spotted donning sophisticated and funky outfits and that style, is part of the clothing line, Gaba Wear. YVONNE SUNDU sat down with him to get more about his fashion craze.
Q
Congratulations on your having a clothing line, the first ever from a Malawian soccer player. What motivated you?
A
The motivation came from the thought of expanding the brand and letting myself get closer to myself, as a brand, to people that support and follow me. I have had a lot of people asking me for replica jerseys but issues of jerseys are tricky. So I thought of having this. We are having T-shirts, snapbacks, college jackets, suits and shirts. Currently, they are being sold at Kaunjika.com in Pacific Mall and L. Devraj shop in Blantyre. Lilongwe and Mzuzu are on the cards.
Q
Where are you making them?
A
We are making these in Kenya and South Africa. We also had promotional pieces made here in Malawi. I have a graphic designer and a fashion designer who are helping me out with everything. It’s a chain business agreement. The label is about being proud of who we are. That we can have some of these things of our own. We wear designer clothes from sports personalities such as Usain Bolt and Michael Jordan. But it is not something we cannot do. The line is pretty much about Malawians being proud of what we can become. It is both for males and females as well as children.
Q
How soon is the clothing line going to be launched?
A
We are planning an official launch in June. Initially, I wanted to do it end of December last year, but I was released late so I failed to make it.
Q
How affordable are the outfits?
A
We are trying to make them available at an affordable price for my people. But in all aspects we still need to make sure we are able to sustain the business. The cheapest price, for example snapbacks are going at K7 000 and T-shirts at K6 500. Suits on the other hand, have different prices according to the style and touch.
Q
How has been the response this far?
A
The response has been amazing. We were sold out the first two days of being on the market. We had to supply two times in one day. At the moment, we are sold out in T-shirts’s that were in the first consignment. Malawians are amazing. The support is amazing. I just want to thank everyone who has been part of my life from the day they knew me. Malawians are the reason I am where I am. I am always grateful
Q
How much have you invested in this?
A
We have invested a lot not just monetary but the human resource and time on it.
Q
Who inspired you in fashion industry? And why?
A
I am inspired by Pierre Cardin. I have never seen him but his collection has been everywhere, especially to people I have been seeing here, it is inspiring.
Q
How has your stay in South Africa propelled you to fashion?
A
I am always grateful the times I have been here. I have been exposed to a lot of things and one of them is fashion. I have come to see where trends are set in fashion so it’s been an experience.
Q
What do you understand about fashion industry in Malawi?
A
For the past months I have been researching with a lot of people trying to see the extent to which fashion has grown in Malawi and the world. From what we got, we were able to come up with the collection. n
