Rose Molteno is the designer, dreamer, and creative force behind Molteno Couture.
For over a decade, Rose has transformed couture into something deeper than beauty, which is a celebration of womanhood, individuality, and confidence. In fact, her gowns carry stories that are stitched with intention, love, and artistry.
Drawing from her own journey of self-acceptance and body healing, Rose designs for every woman, every curve, every culture, every story. From ethereal bridal gowns to bold evening wear, each piece is crafted to make the woman wearing it feel seen, powerful, and radiant in her own skin.
At Molteno Couture, fashion is prioritized over trend, authenticity over perfection, and empowerment over expectation. Because here, every gown is made to honor the woman it adorns.
Read the full interview below.
Who is Rose, and what does she do?
I’m a creative and an entrepreneur, someone who finds joy in movement, expression, and beauty. I love to dance, sing, paint, and take photographs. I’m also deeply spiritual and always on a journey to better understand myself and the nature of reality. Through my own struggles with self-image, I’ve developed a deep empathy for women and their bodies. By combining that with my design talent, I create garments that help women feel seen, celebrated, and beautiful.
Your brand is rooted in slow fashion, body celebration, and bold femininity. What inspired you to build a couture house that centers women’s empowerment from the inside out?
It’s been a natural evolution. I’ve known since childhood that I wanted to be a fashion designer. Over time, through my own challenges, I developed a passion for using fashion as a tool for healing. My work allows me to help women embrace their unique beauty and feel powerful in their own skin. While I’m still on my own journey of self-acceptance, each client I work with inspires me to keep showing up with love, creativity, and purpose.
Your latest collection, Mythos, draws from mythological goddesses and modern South African womanhood. What stories or archetypes shaped the collection, and what do you hope women feel when they wear it?
Mythos is inspired by African mythology and the powerful female figures who have shaped our history, queens, warriors, spiritual leaders, and unsung heroines. These women embodied strength, grace, and fierce femininity. I want the collection to remind modern women of the powerful legacy they inherit and to inspire them to walk boldly in their own magic. Each piece is a tribute to both ancient myth and contemporary womanhood, a celebration of beauty, resilience, and pride.
You design for deeply personal milestones like Matric dances and weddings. How do you approach the emotional responsibility of dressing someone for one of the biggest days of their life?
With care, sensitivity, and deep respect. It’s never just about a dress, it’s about the woman wearing it, her story, her dreams, and the memory she’s creating. I take the time to really understand who she is and how she wants to feel. My goal is to co-create a garment that reflects her essence and helps her feel like the most radiant, iconic version of herself on that special day.
Many couture houses still idealize one type of body. You’ve chosen inclusivity and corsetry as a path to reclaiming confidence. Why is body positivity so central to your design philosophy?
For me, this is deeply personal. I grew up believing that only thin bodies were beautiful, and that belief led me into an eating disorder that I’ve battled for over 25 years. I still live with body dysmorphia. My work is my way of pushing back against the toxic culture that permeates much of the fashion industry. I want my studio to be a safe, empowering space where women of all sizes feel accepted and celebrated. I won’t turn a blind eye to harmful norms, I’m committed to being part of the change.
As a woman-led business in South Africa’s fashion ecosystem, what challenges have you faced, and how have they shaped you as an entrepreneur?
Entrepreneurship is tough for anyone, regardless of gender. As a creative, I’ve battled imposter syndrome and struggled with pricing my work fairly, it’s hard to communicate just how labour-intensive couture is. While those challenges are personal, not necessarily gender-based, I do think being a woman gives me a deep, intuitive understanding of other women and their bodies. My business is mostly made up of women, and together, we create from a place of empathy and shared experience. That’s a powerful advantage.
What role does sustainability play in your process, and how do you balance luxury with conscious design?
While the fabric choices in bridal and formalwear are limited in terms of eco-friendliness, I do my best to create clothing with lasting value. I don’t design for fast fashion, I make heirloom pieces that are treasured, reworn, and resold. Each garment is made with intention and care, which inherently reduces waste. I’m not perfect, but I’m committed to a slower, more thoughtful approach to fashion.
What can African couture uniquely contribute to the global fashion conversation?
We’re in a powerful moment of cultural awakening. Across the world, people of African heritage are reconnecting with their roots, and those of us at home are proudly embracing our rich, diverse cultures. Africa is bursting with bold aesthetics, vibrant craftsmanship, and meaningful storytelling. Our designs celebrate curves, colour, texture, and history. We are redefining beauty on our own terms, and I’m proud to be part of that movement. African couture brings soul, heritage, and innovation to the global stage.
You’re giving women permission to take up space. What does that mean to you personally?
It’s something I’m learning every day, from my clients, from the incredible women I work with. I wasn’t raised to take up space, especially as a white, English-speaking South African woman. But through my work, I’ve had the joy of stepping into spaces where women are bold, expressive, and unapologetically themselves. Their confidence has inspired me to embrace visibility in my own way, to let go of shame, claim joy, and show up fully.
What advice would you give to women building niche or values-driven brands in industries that prioritise trend over truth?
If you’re going to pour so much of yourself into your work, it must reflect your truth. Your values, your story, your perspective, these are your power. Not everyone will resonate with it, and that’s okay. The people who are meant to connect with your work will see your authenticity and respond to it. Trends fade, but truth has soul, and soul is eternal.
