Lwazi Nongauza
South African fashion designer, Sicelo Mabuza has revealed the secret behind his rich heritage designs.
In an interview with Scrolla.Africa, Mabuza revealed how he merged his passion for fashion design with business and the African identity expression.
“I am the proud product of many African cultures,” he explained.
“Since childhood, I always knew that I would choose a career that would reflect my background and passions. I guess that childhood vision led me into fashion.”
The University of Johannesburg and Wits graduate emphasises the importance of complementing African fashion with western marketing methods.
“It is important to remember that we are in business. To compete with big global brands we needed to create commercially viable designs,” he said.
“That can only be achieved through planning and intensive research, which we did for more than two years before we got into business.”
Through social media, Mabuza has been able to elevate his brand.
He has dressed celebrities like Mbongeni Ngema, Bernard Parker, Kwesta and Dr Musa Mthombeni.
‘’I would like to believe that I am just a vessel for reclaiming African pride and identity,” he said.
“My only long-term plan is to create a platform for all emerging fashion designers, musicians, filmmakers and all other artists to work together.”
He said with his business partners he was already doing that through the Newtown Junction Homegrown Shandis store.
The multi-talented entrepreneur is now imparting his skills to a number of college students in Gauteng and Mpumalanga.
Picture source: ShowBizScope
