Fashion passion: Designer launches clothing line inspired by her father

An Athlone fashion designer says her accomplishments are inspired by her late dad’s dress style and entrepreneurial spirit as a fruit and veg seller.

Now she’s using that same spirit to run not one, but two businesses, and going around schools to show Cape Flats kids that a successful career in fashion is possible.

Kelly Brandt Petersen, 28, launched her clothing line for women and kids called Charlie B.

The mom of two lost her mother when she was five years old and then lost her dad when she was 21, shortly before she also became a mother that year.

“My father, Michael John Brandt, also known by his nickname, Charlie, raised me,” she says.

“He used to have a fruit and vegetable stall. Many in the area knew him, and not just for his business, but how he assisted the community in whichever way he could.

“He inspired me. I was only nine years old when I started helping him with the fruit and veg business.”

After matriculating from Garlandale High in 2010, she studied for a graphic design degree, but took a gap year during her studies when she gave birth.

“When my daughter turned one, I finished my qualification,” she says.

“I could have viewed losing my parents, taking a gap year during my studies, or even being bullied as a teenager, as reasons to give up on my dreams, but I never spent too much time mourning my losses. Instead, I’d like to think that I use my losses to win.”

Kelly named it after her father, “because of his dress code, shoes polished, socks and boxers had to be ironed and of good quality, this clothing line is in remembrance of him”.

She launched Charlie B on 8 April and also runs her own graphic design company called Lit Design Empire.

“Occasionally we have an opportunity partner with design schools, running workshops in local suburbs of Cape Town to introduce young high school kids about the creative landscape and career opportunities.”

She designs urban casual clothing and uses a local CMT to produce the T-shirts, pants, jackets and dresses.

Check out the Charlie B Collection on social media platforms.

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