#INSPIRATION… PRINCE NHLENGETHWA AKA PRINCE EDGIE

The Shades of Cool blog has featured inspirational established individuals thus far, everyone has a story and we here at Shades of Cool are always on the lookout for fresh motivating stories that are rarely told in the media. One such story is that of Prince Nhlengethwa aka Prince Edgie a visual merchandiser at Mango who describes his job as making things pretty, “my job is to get you to come in and buy....” 

Prince landed his job at mango by chance; “I nagged them till they gave me a chance. I knew someone who went to Varsity with the Visuals Manager at Topshop and kept nagging till she gave me a chance. I had no experience. Topshop at the time in Durban was going through a decline sales wise and needed someone stronger and more experienced. I was lucky to be given a chance with Mango. I guess my willingness to show adaptability between these two different brands paid off more than the experience.

Some people would say it’s more about who you know than what you know I asked “In life our paths are not the same. I had to knock more than once to be taken seriously. If you read my story carefully you would know I nagged them for an interview and I proved myself. I went through the usual recruitment process. Knowing people is just that knowing people. You still need to back it up. You need to work extra hard to avoid such questions being imposed about your work or success. Experience does help. But nothing beats education. I do have a degree in media hence whatever I do has a thought process. Some might say I take all this seriously. I am cautious of how I want my brand to be represented. Education comes in there where you know better and have smart choices about things”

In 2015 Prince launched #TruTuesday sponsored by Truworths on Instagram (talk about Instagraming with a purpose) which was about Truworths clothing and how he wore them.” I was lucky to be approached by them because I genuinely find some awesome stuff there.” And then there is a promotional deal with Levi “That also just happened by chance. I was just wearing some Levi stuff. They reached out and I was amazed and honoured for the opportunity” Prince also happens to be a Brand ambassador of Sunstoppers sunglass “I had a friend of the Business follow me on Instagram and the business followed as well. They loved what I did. I actually wanted to approach them for a friend of mine. The friend had other engagements. I was shocked when the friend Of the Business suggested me then which I am eternally grateful for. Well Brand Ambassadorship for me is about making the brand as relatable as possible to the brands target market. You are the link between the Brand and the market.” 

“I studied Media and Communications and have Honours in Directing and Choreography. Both seem like they have nothing to do with fashion. However everyday with my social media presence I use aspects from this education. The way I pose for my Pictures is through learning to be aware of your body. It feels effortless now but I hear my Dance Lecturer Paul Datlen every day when I pose. My obsession with social media, wanting to be an influential creative in this space is highly influenced by my Media studies. I sit and derive so much inspiration from media genres (especially film) because I learnt how to analyse media. I have a very watchful eye, some may say an awkward stare. Hence I love eyewear.”

It would be a crime not to ask Prince about his wardrobe; how he defines his personal style, where he shops and what he wants from the runway this season. “My style is evolving however it is important to always remain Edgy. Hence my online name Prince Edgie. I love an almost simple piece with a secret and surprise detail. I shop everywhere. From the runway Moschino accessories would be nice. Dsquared Jeans. Lord TopMan suits they have the best pants fit. I want a lot. Fur. I want I want. It's bad”

His favourites in fashion include “Vivienne Westwood, Burberry, Cara Delevigne, Tyra Banks, I love accessories especial Clutch Bags. I love love love OracleFox her blog is amazing. I love Australian bloggers. They set the bar super high while they are down under. They influence me so much.” And his top 5 fashion moments in 2015 “1. Zoolander on the runway.  2. Being at Durban Fashion Fair 3. Rihanna on BBHMM video wearing TOM FORD pilgrim shoes 4. Burberry Is always a Fashion moment for me 5. Chanel fashion shows are eventful.

Prince describes himself as an aspiring social media creative. “There is a lot I want to do on social media thus I can’t just give it a specific title as yet. I want to do a lot. I don't want to reveal too much. I do however aspire to being the voice for this community I feel is being overlooked (gay community, males in general) I do however aspire to more mass appeal as well I guess....”

Talking about the South African fashion blogging scene with Sandy Nene of www.sandynene.com Prince talked about how it’s growing but the feels that the gay community is still a minority. In Fact males in general are a minority on social media. “I want to see more people that I relate to being represented. I feel SA brands are overlooking Pink Money. They are quick to choose influentials that appeal to the traditional market. I know a lot of my gay friends who have soo much disposable income. This market also wants to see Bloggers that appeal to them being at the forefront of Brand campaigns. Like how the women between their late 30s and 40s were overlooked till Sex and The City. This show changed the way retailers looked at that market. The gay community needs more representation in blogging too.” I had to ask how he would like what he relates to, to be represented. “Pink Money (which is the Gay Market in general) is highly overlooked. Males are not associated with Fashion as much as women are. The brands approach more girls than men. I want to see someone who’s influential on a High End brand collaboration who appeals to me and this pink market. I feel like a lot of the brands still chose people who are rather conservative about their sexuality being other than straight. I don't want to see a stereotype being represented. I feel there are lots of shades of gay in-between. You either need to be very hush about being gay or be loud. I want to see people like me and my friends who own being gay but don't shove it in your face either. That's what I feel is missing.”

Princeedgie.com is live

Freelance stylist is also on his impressive resume, being a freelance stylist in South Africa is best done in Cape Town and Johannesburg. That market understands the role of a stylist better… His dream scenario of (South) African fashion “is very idealistic. I would love to see fashion in SA being worn by more than just us. Well even we don't buy or wear it enough. I wanna see fashion brands being more. I want to see more brand collabs and more and more. I have high hopes I guess”

I usually find this question cheesy but I can’t help but ask where Prince sees himself in the next 5 years, this was the only question that went unanswered probably because Prince Edgie knows all too well that  the times and industry we’re in is so unpredictable! Also like Rich Mnisi, Beyonce taught him to just drop his work.

Images supplied by Prince Nhlengethwa

Follow Prince Nhlengethwa on Instagram: @princeedgie Twitter: @PrinceEDGIE