Desré Buirski

Desré Ann Buirski is a South African fashion designer and entrepreneur best known as the creator of the Madiba shirt, the signature hand-painted batik silk shirts worn by Nelson Mandela. She is the founder of the luxury clothing brand Presidential Shirt. Quotes Just like millions of people around the world, I had thought to myself that, ‘One day, I am going to see Nelson Mandela in the flesh – even if it is just from a distance.’ So when I heard the night before that he was paying a visit near where I lived, I thought, ‘Well, here’s my chance to turn my little dream into reality Clothing Designer’s ‘Incredible Journey’ with Nelson Mandela I thought, ‘Okay, I need to definitely come up with some idea to give him as a gift. Clothing Designer’s ‘Incredible Journey’ with Nelson Mandela It had long sleeves. It happened to be extra-large. I knew that this would probably fit (Mandela) because he was very tall. I grabbed it. I thought, ‘Well, even if he doesn’t use it, he can give it away. Clothing Designer’s ‘Incredible Journey’ with Nelson Mandela When I arrived there, there were a whole lot of photographers outside. I said to them, ‘Do you think I’d be able to get this package to President Mandela?’ They looked at me and said, ‘Come on! (His bodyguards) are going to think there’s a bomb in there!’ So I sheepishly went inside clutching my precious cargo. Clothing Designer’s ‘Incredible Journey’ with Nelson Mandela That’s for President Mandela; please give it him! Clothing Designer’s ‘Incredible Journey’ with Nelson Mandela happy as a lark in the sky. Clothing Designer’s ‘Incredible Journey’ with Nelson Mandela I went and got the newspaper, and there it was on the right-hand page – this huge photograph of (Mandela) wearing this beautiful shirt of mine! It just looked so incredible on him, like it was just meant to be. There he was, giving the world a huge big wave (in my shirt)! Of course, it kind of hit me like a two-by-four (truck). I couldn’t quite believe that this was real. And so began my relationship – this incredible relationship, this incredible journey – that I’ve had with Nelson Mandela, as his shirt maker. Clothing Designer’s ‘Incredible Journey’ with Nelson Mandela The ones that Mandela specifically wears are silk, hand-painted shirts, and they are…. brightly colored with geometric (patterns) and floral designs…. At first he told me he liked earth tones, but he’s probably got every single color in the rainbow as part of his collection of shirts that I’ve done for him. Clothing Designer’s ‘Incredible Journey’ with Nelson Mandela “I’m so incredibly honored to have been just a miniscule part of this great man’s life.” Clothing Designer’s ‘Incredible Journey’ with Nelson Mandela External links Category: living people Category:Women from South Africa Category: entrepreneurs Category:Fashion designers from South Africa