His catwalk debut was in 2003, where he won the Elle New Talent competition and was also awarded Best new Designer of the Year by the Sunday Times. Since then he has showcased on many more catwalks both locally and abroad.
In 2007 he showcased in Paris. YES, PARIS!
In 2009 he was named Fashion Designer of the Year at the Arise Africa Fashion Awards. 2009 was also the year of his first Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week showcase.
In 2008 he was voted the most stylish person at the annual SA Style Awards, Mzansi's Star Fashion Designer at the Mzansi Star Awards and also nominated at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Awards 2008.
In 2011 he sent 92 models down the ramp, the longest ramp in the history of South African fashion, in celebration of the 92 years of Nelson Mandela's life. This was done on the Nelson Mandela Bridge.
David Tlale's shows' venue choices are just as exciting as his clothes. Besides for the 284-metre long ramp on the Nelson Mandela bridge, for the MBFW Cape Town in 2012 he took the runways to the streets of the Bo-kaap. The 2012 show in Joburg was held at Sa Mint. For this year's MBFW Joburg he showcased his designs on the staircase of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature where journalists, buyers, fashion followers and fans could got up close to the garments on show.
Tlale said: "Everybody does a runway show, why don't you do something different? How beautiful is this Gauteng Provincial Legislature? I thought this collection deserved an installation and this was a perfect address to do it."
Last year April the trendy teens of SA were given a chance to own Van der Tlale original at affordable prices when LEGiT clothing store collaborated with Tlale, a South African first.
We hope for many more collaborations in the future.
Image: 1africa.tv
