A New Face for Ottawa’s Fashion Scene

Ottawa is home to a fashion week, fashion magazine and many fashion bloggers. Each member of this tight-knit community has their own niche, superior networking skills, and often works for free. Breaking into this microcosm is no small feat, but it is a challenge Rosina Mahlangu has accepted.

On Aug. 9, 22-year-old Mahlangu, launched Capital Fashion Consulting at an event space in Little Italy. The event, Style and the City: Modern Chic,was held to introduce to the consulting firm to Ottawa’s fashion community, according to Mahlangu, the company’s sole employee. Fashion bloggers, such as Zara from Ottawa Velo Vogue and Avah from Avah Taylor, came out to support the city’s newest fashion addition.

Capital Fashion Consulting (CFC) is the brainchild of Mahlangu, a Carleton grad. CFC provides services such as personal styling, wardrobe organization, personal shopping and fashion-related workshops. “We’re all about fashion,” said Mahlangu.

Clients receive Mahlangu’s expertise based on her lifetime passion for fashion. Her services are moderately priced, costing $120 for two hour sessions.”[I teach] how to look gorgeous and not break the bank,” she said. Workshops are priced upon request.

Local fashion retailers were invited to set up booths at the event. The mom-and-pop run: Max’s Shoe Repair, was on deck to showcase women’s shoes and accessories exclusive to their stylish boutique in West Wellington Village. Sonia Vadher, wife of Max and shoe expert, said Mahlangu wanted to create a supportive environment for small businesses. “To try and give small businesses a chance.”

Another exhibiting vendor was BeautiControl, a home-spa-party company, owned by Tupperware and run by independent consultants. Vicky Langton, a consultant, said she thinks highly of Mahlangu. Langton added they both have the same goal, “To bring more style to the capital.”

The event was a true testament to social media marketing. Vendors applied to be part of the event after reading a tweet, browsing on Kijiji or creeping on Facebook. Many attendees, including this author, were tweeted into attendance. In a world increasingly dictated by Web 2.0, it looks like Mahlangu is styling to the right tune.

Keeping with the local entrepreneur theme Mahlangu asked fellow 22-year-old, Karisa Karmali to speak at the event. Karmali recently wrote a book called The Art of Attitude, which encourages women to take personal responsibility for their lives. Karmali said she was inspired by her troubled childhood to channel her energy into education and create her own future.

You can find Mahlangu at another fashion event this Saturday at Mansion nightclub. She said she will be part of many more events over the next few months. She added she is also in talks about her possible involvement with Ottawa’s biggest fashion event, Ottawa Fashion Week. Appropriately, Mahlangu expressed her long-term goal, “To take over Ottawa.” Fashionably of course.