It’s magnifico, Mr Fhilip’ O

MBOMBELA – Fhilip Oosthuizen, an established local fashion designer, is a treat.

His work, his personality and his approach to life are so intoxicating, fun and focused that success flows from his fingertips onto the fabric in his studio. The fashionable designs that emerge from there prove that this local has great things in store for him.

Fhilip (30) grew up in Durban, where he remembers having an interest in fabric and textiles from a young age. “As a young boy I was not familiar with the concept of fashion design. However, I had an interest in fabrics. Their different textures, how different types could be used in different ways – it all fascinated me.”

He recalls having tons of fun dressing up his sister’s dolls and watching in awe as his mother and grandmother stitched away on their vintage Singer sewing machines. “It was something to see. They operated the Singers with their feet. In went the fabric and out came clothes,” he says.

When Fhilip was a bit older, he became familiar with idea of fashion and decided that he would become a designer. He enrolled at Mbombela’s Xela Design College three years ago. Xela enabled him to obtain an internationally recognised diploma. “I can work anywhere in the world. Paris, Milan, New York, you name it!” However, he is a Lowvelder at heart and opened Fhilip’ O Fashion Design Studio right here in the province’s capital.

“Coming here has changed my life. I’m so blessed to have achieved so much in the past 36 months. I must confirm the old adage: once you have the Lowveld’s dust on your feet, you never want to shake it off.”

Lowvelders were delighted to have him at the recent Casambo Fashion Affair where his Japanese-inspired collection impressed greatly. Local Ms Karen Hoyer said he had previously designed a beautiful dress for her.

“I had this ideal picture in my head and he just grasped it. He made a mock-up of what I wanted on the day that we met and the next day, my dress was ready.”

To Fhilip, designing an outfit is all about making an exclusive piece for a client which is the only one of its kind in the universe. “When they see a picture of their ideal outfit, I make that picture into an individualised design. They are measured to fit the client’s body like a glove.”

He explained what happens when people wear clothes that aren’t measured for their bodies: “A bad fit is what you’ll have. We’re talking droopy shoulders, no accentuation of the waist, bust, hips or length. Basically, you won’t look fashionable.” He added that, in many cases, clothing that wasn’t tailored to your body made you look short and fat.

“Nobody wants to look short and fat.”

The exclusivity of Fhilip’ O designs are guaranteed as he doesn’t use commercial patterns in his studio. “I make all my patterns from scratch, according to the client’s needs and measurements,” he says. “This way they get to be different, stylish and elegant. And that’s what designing fashion is all about.”

Fhilip is a great sport. In sixty seconds flat, he gave Lowveld women the foolproof guide to the perfect outfit for a relaxed braai and a glamorous event:

“The starting point is a basic shift dress that can be dressed up or down,” he says.

• For a braai or informal cocktail event:
Accessorise with silver hoop earrings.
Add a chunky faux silver necklace.
Wear black ballerina pumps.

• For a glamorous do:
Accessorise with pearl earrings and a pearl necklace
Add a chunky silver bracelet if you prefer
Wear a nice belt to accentuate the waist
A clutch bag looks very chic
“Obviously you’ll wear it with high heels!”

Fhilip is inspired by world-famous designers like Karl Lagerfeld and Donatella Versace. Like Alexander McQueen, Fhilip has also started his career at a young age and is one Lowvelder we’ll read about for years to come.

Fhilip introduces Lowvelders to his world with this how-to-guide:

“Fhilip’ O’s guide on how to make your own infinity scarf – it’s as easy as one, two, three!

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