BY Nkosazana Ngwadla
Obakeng Rantlhane is establishing himself as a household name in the South African fashion and media space.
At 25 years old, he is a seasoned stylist and creative, and recently worked with Bonang Matheba and Swanky Jerry for the second season of the hit Netflix show, Young, Famous & African (YFA).
Starting out in the Marketing space and then transitioning into styling, Rantlhane is business- minded as much as he is an artist. He is the founder of lifestyle platform, Guide – placing him at the forefront of all things fashion and luxury.
He is known for his “quiet-luxury” aesthetic, made up of clean lines, balanced proportions, refined tailoring, and minimalistic essence. “My style is really a lot but it’s nothing. It’s simple yet loud; low-key yet noticeable,” he explains.
Over the years, he has cultivated an impressive list of celebrity clients and headed up a number of high-profile projects. He was previously the head stylist for Living the Dream with Somizi and has worked with the likes of Pearl Thusi and Thandiswa Mazwai.
When it comes to his styling inspiration, Rantlhane says that being constantly surrounded by larger-than-life personalities is something he revels in. “When I have a client, I like to study their behaviour; what they like and don’t like, and create customised mood boards according to what I see them in. I live in my little fairytale head and enjoy creating characters for people,” he says.
As one of the country’s most prominent luxury connoisseur’s, Rantlhane’s biggest style tip is to make sure things fit. “When things fit, they look luxurious; they look like they were made for you. There’s nothing more attractive than a well-tailored pair of pants or jacket.”
Image: Instagram
