Motsi Mabuse, judge on the popular dance competition show Strictly Come Dancing, is embracing a more sustainable approach to fashion both on and off screen. Known for her sparkling and colorful wardrobe on the show, Mabuse has openly discussed her shift toward second-hand clothing and mindful consumption.
In her role as presenter of the Amazon Prime Video series Live Better for Less, produced in partnership with the fashion resale platform Vinted, Mabuse helps participants declutter their homes and wardrobes to generate extra income. The experience has also influenced her personally; she has listed 20 items from her own closet for sale on Vinted, with all proceeds donated to charity. While she remains reluctant to part with her shoes, Mabuse said the process encouraged her to reconsider impulse purchases. “Now I leave it in the basket online for a few days and then go back to it to see if I really want it. Usually it turns out I don’t,” she explained.
Mabuse, 45, lives near Frankfurt, Germany, with her husband, former dancer Evgenij Voznyuk, and their eight-year-old daughter. The couple runs a dance school together. Voznyuk is supportive of Mabuse’s decluttering efforts and regularly purges his own wardrobe.
Growing up under apartheid in South Africa influenced Mabuse’s attitude toward clothing. She recalls limited access to new garments during her childhood and the value she placed on what she had. Early in her career in Germany, she famously won 70 euros playing roulette with casino chips and used the prize to buy a pair of black heels, a purchase she still fondly remembers. Despite this newfound commitment to sustainability, Mabuse holds onto some sentimental pieces, including a pair of Jean-Paul Gaultier jeans that no longer fit and her cream-colored wedding dress, which she hopes her daughter might wear someday.
Mabuse’s daughter, who is developing her own interest in dance through hip-hop lessons, often borrows her mother’s sparkly shoes. Mabuse admits that she herself rarely wears heels anymore, opting for sneakers during her downtime at home.
With the latest season of Strictly Come Dancing beginning this weekend, Mabuse expressed enthusiasm about the new presenting team comprising Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe, who replace longtime hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. She praised Willis for her presence, Widdicombe for his humor, and shared a longtime friendship with Radebe. Despite her growing years on the show, Mabuse said she still experiences nerves and excitement akin to “first love” whenever the program airs live.
Live Better for Less is currently available on Amazon Prime Video. Mabuse said her involvement in the series, combined with the routine of Strictly Come Dancing, underscores her evolving mindset toward fashion consumption and self-expression beyond the stage.