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With her brand Styletech By Teshie, young designer Teshie Ogallo focuses on delivering modern, afro-centric clothes that bring the beauty of traditional prints to the everyday, carefree wardrobe for both men and women.
Only in business for three years, she is already being recognised for her talents, having been selected for the Trutworths Fashion Incubation programme in South Africa in 2018 and showcasing her designs at Africa Fashion Week Nigeria 2019.
In Conversation With Styletech
Words by Alarna Foster
Where did the name Styletech by Teshie come from?
Teshie: Styletech By Teshie began as a blog that I started in my first year at the University of Cape Town. I was studying Computer Science and Information Systems so it was a creative outlet and a way to tap into Cape Town’s fashion community. The name came from merging my two industries - fashion and technology. When the blog morphed into a business, I just stuck with the name.
Why do you incorporate textiles from across Africa in your designs?
Teshie: I was surrounded by Kenyan kanga growing up, then moving to South Africa I worked with shweshwe. My mum used to travel, particularly to West Africa, and would come back with beautiful ankara prints. I love these fabrics but they are traditionally used to create flamboyant outfits for big ceremonies like weddings and funerals. You wouldn’t wear them to work, to a party or to brunch. The young people still want to be fashionable in their African attire and that’s what Styletech is offering. By using these traditional fabrics with modern silhouettes, Styletech celebrates the culture and makes it accessible for everyday wear.
“Rihanna and I share a birthday so we’re obviously meant to be best friends!”
— Teshie
How has being part of the Creative DNA Programme helped you to grow your business?
Teshie:In the first two years, I struggled to manage my time as a new graduate living abroad and running a business that wasn’t generating any income. I joined the programme early this year and I can’t believe where I am now. The networking has been invaluable, connecting me with everyone I need to know in the industry. The seed grant has allowed me to invest in things like professional packaging to improve marketing and branding, which has boosted respect for my work and people are buying more. I am so grateful.
If Styletech by Teshie had a theme song, what would it be?
Teshie:It would definitely be an afrobeats song, probably a track from Fireboy’s latest album ‘Apollo’. I can imagine myself listening to this music dressed in Styletech by Teshie.
I appreciated your ‘My Life Matters’ T-shirt you put out in response to the Black Lives Matter movement this year.
Teshie:It was a statement and a form of protest. For all the black African women or black African American women, I hope wearing this T-shirt makes you feel as special as you truly are because you know that your life truly matters.
Who do you want to see wearing Styletech by Teshie one day?
Teshie:I don’t want to sound cliché but Rihanna for sure! I look up to her as a businesswoman, a fashion icon and an artist. She stays true to herself and I love that. Also, we share the same birthday, so we are obviously supposed to be best friends.
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