Olebogeng Ledimo started out as a model working as a sales assistant for the Fashion Nation Designers Emporium in Bloemfontein before developing a deep interest in the garment-making process. He would spend many hours after work sewing in the shop’s in-house manufacturing studio.
He first showcased his collection at the South African Fashion Week where he was approached by Wandi Nzimande of Loxion Kulca to join them and went on to become their creative director. He launched his first House of Olé collection on the ramp at South African Fashion Week in 2006.
The House of Olé label came about by combining his nickname, Olé, with his love for lions, their pride and how they dominate their territory and organise their lives. He resonates with them as they do everything together.
The cream wool jacket feated in our 21 YEARS exhibition was hand painted by South African artist Nelson Makamo. The shirt was hand painted by South African artist Nkosinati Quwe.
Art has always been the big part of Olé’s life from his primary school days in the early 80’s where he was commissioned to draw a Mangaung primary school logo as part of his punishment for making noise in class, till today the logo is still used by the school.
He took Art as subject at Brebner high school and continued to use his art passion in his fashion collections.
In 2009, he took a sabbatical from his business to do a course in tailoring at the London School of Fashion that resulted in the Olé London Limited Edition. In response to the many internship requests and with his love of mentoring, he developed the reality TV show, Raw Silk, for SABC 1 where aspirant designers are given the opportunity to compete for an internship while receiving extensive coaching and publicity.
Ole Ledimo’s House of Olé design is featured in the Zeitz MOCAA exhibition 21 YEARS: Making Histories with South African Fashion Week (2018 – 2019).