CUT FROM A DIFFERENT CLOTH: NTOKOZO MDHLALOSE ON STYLE, PURPOSE & LEGACY

CUT FROM A DIFFERENT CLOTH: NTOKOZO MDHLALOSE ON STYLE, PURPOSE & LEGACY

Ntokozo Mdhlalose is proving that modern pageantry is about far more than appearance. Fresh from being crowned 1st Runner-Up at Mister International South Africa, he has emerged as a compelling young voice in male pageantry, combining style, confidence and purpose with a passionate commitment to men’s mental health advocacy through his Bros2Men campaign.
With an eye for sharp tailoring, an authentic presence and a message that extends beyond the runway, Mdhlalose represents a new generation of gentlemen using fashion and pageantry as platforms for meaningful change. In this exclusive conversation with Fashion Inspirations, he reflects on his pageant journey, the fashion choices that helped him stand apart, lessons from setbacks, men’s wellbeing and the legacy he hopes to build.

FI: Congratulations on being crowned 1st Runner-Up at Mister International South Africa. Looking back at the pageant, what was going through your mind when your name was announced, and what does this achievement mean to you?
NM: First and foremost, I would like to say thank you. In that moment, I experienced a mixture of emotions. Standing in the Top Two alongside Malwande Uthando reminded me that 48 days of discipline, early mornings and unwavering purpose had paid off.
This achievement tells me that purpose is being heard. More importantly, it gives Bros2Men and the conversation around men’s mental health a national platform, and to me, that is far more significant than any crown.

FI: The competition brought together some of South Africa’s finest male pageant talent. What was your overall experience like, from preparations and rehearsals to the final night?
NM: It was a journey filled with pressure, excitement and growth. This was my first time competing in a Mister category, as my background has always been in Teen pageantry, so everything felt new.
The preparations taught me discipline, while rehearsals gave me the opportunity to build genuine friendships and meaningful connections with the other contestants. By the final night, my focus was simply to be authentic rather than perfect. I walked away with lifelong brothers, valuable lessons and a clearer sense of purpose.

FI: Your suits were among the standout elements of your presentation. How important was fashion and tailoring to your overall pageant strategy, and what did you want your outfits to communicate?
NM: I firmly believe that what you wear sets the standard for your confidence. Fashion has the power to build confidence, and I wanted to stand out from the very first day.
I had an idea of the direction many contestants would take, so I intentionally chose something different. My outfits reflected my readiness for the title and represented the kind of person I am—someone who is confident, purposeful and unafraid to be different.

FI: Take us behind the looks. Who was responsible for your suits, and how involved were you in creating them?
NM: I was very hands-on throughout the design process because I wanted every outfit to tell a story that reflected who I am.
My team and I worked closely together on the cuts, colours and fabrics, ensuring everything complemented movement under the stage lights while also celebrating South Africa’s diversity.
My vision was simple: I wanted to embody the modern South African gentleman—sharp, approachable and proudly rooted in culture. That’s why we incorporated African print fabrics into both my arrival and interview outfits.

FI: Men’s fashion has become an increasingly powerful form of self-expression. What does your personal style say about you, and how would you describe your signature look?
NM: My style reflects my personality and my values. When people see what I’m wearing, I want them to have a sense of who I am and what I stand for.
I would describe my signature style as authentic and purpose-driven elegance. I believe you should be able to move from a business meeting or a school motivational talk during the day to a gala event in the evening without ever feeling like you’re pretending to be someone else.

FI: Beyond the glamour, men’s health deserves much greater attention. Which issues do you believe need more awareness?
NM: The biggest issue is silence.
Boys are often taught that being strong means never being vulnerable, and that mindset contributes to mental health struggles, poor physical wellbeing and even gender-based violence.
Last year I launched a campaign called Bros2Men, dedicated to raising awareness about men’s mental health. Through school visits, we encourage young men to speak openly, seek support and understand that asking for help is not weakness.
We also need to normalise regular health check-ups, exercising for mental wellbeing and embracing therapy. Real strength is asking for help before you break. That’s the message I want to send out to everyone.

FI: Before Mister International South Africa, you were a finalist for Mister Globe South Africa before stepping away from the competition. What did that experience teach you?
NM: It taught me the importance of alignment.
Walking away was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but resilience also means recognising when it’s time to pause so you can return stronger and in the right environment.
Academics will always come before pageantry for me when difficult decisions have to be made. That experience also taught me to protect my energy and remain focused on my purpose.
If something doesn’t align with Bros2Men and the impact I want to make, then it’s simply a distraction. I really wanted to compete this year after the work I had put into myself and my campaign following my decision to step away from Mister Globe South Africa.

FI: Having experienced both disappointment and success, how has your perspective on failure, setbacks and second chances changed?
NM: I believe failure is feedback.
Leaving Mister Globe South Africa felt like a setback because of the effort and investment I had made in myself, but ultimately it positioned me for this moment.
Being 1st Runner-Up isn’t failure. Rather, it’s a map. This experience showed me exactly where I can continue growing, especially because it was my first time competing in a Mister pageant after being accustomed to Teen pageantry.
My perspective now is simple: setbacks are setups. Second chances are earned by what you do after the “no”.

FI: Pageantry demands much more than appearance. What has challenged you most, and what have you discovered about yourself?
NM: Balancing 48 days of training, maintaining a disciplined diet and still showing up for Bros2Men challenged me.
But I discovered that I’m more resilient than I thought, and that my purpose is louder than my fear.
I also discovered that people connect with authenticity more than perfection. I used to think being perfect was what people mostly related to, but this experience showed me that being genuine creates a much stronger connection.

FI: Finally, what comes next for Ntokozo Mdhlalose, and what legacy do you hope to build?
NM: Personally, I cannot share exactly what is next for me in pageantry. There are things I am working on behind the scenes, and trust me, everything will be revealed in due time.
What I can proudly say is that it will be the best version of myself I have ever presented in pageantry.
You are also going to see more of me in fashion and through my campaign.
The legacy I would like to leave behind is one of amplifying the voice of the boy child who feels forgotten. I want to use my platform to remind young men that their voices matter, their wellbeing matters and their stories deserve to be heard.