Fashion is my activism: Reality star and award-winning Trans Activist and owner of fashion label “Queer Comfort”; Yaya Mavundla makes a statement with every outfit she wears. Championing and supporting South African designers every time she appears on the red carpet, Yaya’s style is regal and ampowers through fashion.
She shares with GLAMOUR her Style Diary for her recent red carpet appearances and what inspired them.
Hand painted Queer Comfort - This dress has been around, I first wore the dress before painting it at the SA Style Awards, that night I wanted something that will stand out seeing that everyone was going to be wearing the same colour (red) and I wanted to also use it for a Durex shoot for my 14 Days of Love campaign but ended up going a different route. I then hand painted it to coincide with my solo exhibition of my paintings at Constitution Hill titled Black Trans & Bold and I transformed it again into a two piece for CRUZ SA Fashion Week.
Masango by Siphosihle at Miss World SA 2023. This was for my first red carpet hosting duties which was also broadcast live on SABC 3, I needed something that will stand out but not over-shine my guests that I was going to be interviewing and still look good on camera, Masango was a perfect choice for this and we decided to do away with a normal will and had this custom headpiece wig to give it a regal finish.
Otiz Seflo for Lancôme - I really, really loved this look, the first time I saw it I knew it was written my name all over it and when my make up was done and wore the dress, everything came together and was fitting for the kind of luxury event that was and also the theme. I wanted to look like a Lancôme woman.
Queer Comfort at the Feather Awards - This dress had a big story but also a very important message, having seen what has been happening to a lot of Gay men and transgender women being targeted on Grindr, I needed to use my voice and influence to support the victims, get the government to pay attention and intervene. Also for me it was such a special night where I was nominated and won best styled personality at the Feather Awards, something that we hardly see for women like myself.
Gavin Rajah for SA Fashion Week - I am obsessed with Gavin Rajah and he really gets my style, he has supported me so much, this was for the CRUZ SA Fashion Week opening party. I had kept this look for over 4 months and I knew I wanted to use it for the fashion week opening party.
*Connect with Yaya on Instagram @yayarsa
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