By: Kamohelo Ntsebeng
The great Mosa Kuape, a commercial international founder & CEO of the Inclusive Fashion is to host a fashion show event on March 16th in celebration of her 1st year as the little international model in Africa. The primary aim for this is to give designers and models with disabilities a platform to embrace their talents without being discriminated.
Mosa says it is at this show where she will be introducing the Inclusive Fashion. Upon realizing that disabled persons are not recognised enough in the fashion industry and are also not given a platform to showcase their talents, she decided to establish this company so as to cater for models and designers who have not yet been recognised; be it because of their body shapes or disabilities.
She boasts being the only little person in the African fashion industry, her presence is about breaking barriers and challenging societal norms.
“Being a model is not so easy, it needs someone who does not lack confidence and so does being in the fashion industry. I hope to inspire everybody through my journey to an extent where they get strength to truly pursue their dreams and be fully aware that as long as they get a little bit of determination, hard work and support system, everything is possible.”
She says apart from government support, the people who made sure that she understood that her dreams are valid are individuals who contributed and made sure she attended her international modelling engagements.
“In this coming event, there will be designers from international places, those with whom I have worked in previous shows,” she explains.
One of the models who worked with Mosa, Tebonguni Mkhatjwa from the Kingdom of Eswatini, said that the woman taught herself almost everything she is good at today, she narrates how meeting Mosa taught her that it is okay to be different-this she did through the confidence she maintains as she continually embraces her dwarfism. “That on its own is what is making her stand out in crowds. She has made a name for herself in African. The fashion industry is so blessed to have such a soul.”
Mosa’s story continues to inspire her as a designer and model and, has also touched many souls in the fashion industry. Mkhatjwa admits being humbled by the invitation as she, “never thought that as a girl from Eswatini I would get invited to such a beautiful beginning of greater things. Being part of Mosa’s journey to me means embracing the uniqueness of my craft,” she says.
Lipalesa Qacha from Maua designs thinks people who live with disability have been ignored for a long time in the industry and so, Mosa having to step in and make everyone see fashion despite disabilities has brought a sense of bravery, inclusivity and awareness.
She also explains that being part of Mosa’s journey helped her be more open when designing and also be considerate of all groups.
“I now know from amputees, dwarfism, wheel chair bounds and many more, they all wear something so why not design something that meets them at the point of their fashion needs,” she declares.