REALITY television star and stylist-turned-fashion-label owner Mome Ngcobondwane credits her parents' love of fashion for her alternative and stylishly wacky dress sense.

"I have always had an unusual fashion sense and when I was growing up, I remember, I was one of the first people in my street to dye my hair red."

Simply known as Mome, and mother to nine-year-old Thandolwethu, she says her mom was part of the Duks of London fashion clique who influenced trends in townships in their heyday.

Mome recently graced our screens in a reality TV programme titled Mo-Love with her comedian husband Tall-Ass Mo.

The show showcased their quirky lifestyle and, after experiencing life in the spotlight, she says she definitely knows that TV is not for her - because her passion lies in fashion.

"I will not take on a presenting gig because I know I can only do me," says Mome.

Mome previously worked as a freelance fashion stylist to complement her day job as part of the "energy team" for a popular sneakers brand.

"This was not a normal nine-to- five job but it was a flexible job," she says. "I hung out in the coolest spots in Johannesburg and acted as a kind of trend forecaster by reporting back on what colours and styles my peers liked to wear.

"This was when I got the opportunity to understand the retail space."

But she does admit that it has not always been easy for her to make the transition from stylist to designer.

"I planned to start the Ms Mome label in 2010.

"But it took me another year to get my first pieces designed."

She says her passion for African prints stems from the need to instil a sense of pride in the various cultures in South Africa.

She works with a Ghanaian seamstress, who also sources some of the material for her designs and her creative input comes when she directs the kind of designs to be made for the label.

"When I started out I hired a South African seamstress and every time I had a client she wanted more money from me. I had to find someone who understands the nature of this business."

Her fashion lines include pants, short skirts and shorts, using contrasting African prints and shirts.

She is optimistic about the prospects for her fashion business and will not be rushing into mass production.

Talking about her marriage of four months to Tall-Ass Mo she says nothing has changed since they started seeing each other four years ago.

Mome says every relationship needs work and this is why she and her comedian husband are taking marriage counselling seriously at the moment

During the shoot that took place at MSC Boutique, Tall Ass Mo was there to offer support.

Interesting facts about Mome:

l Her son from a previous relationship lives with his paternal grandmother in Durban.

l She vows to never raise her children in the city, but prefers one of the coastal areas.

l Her elder sister, Maphefo, raised her while her mom worked odd hours as a nurse.

l She gets irritated when people ask her when she will have another baby as she has only been married a few months.- motaud@sowetan.co.za