After travelling the world in search of greener pastures, Fanele Malaika Nyawo, 24, came to realise there were opportunities in abundance if one had the right mindset.
The Richards Bay-born fashion designer is self-taught and now making a living off her talent. She created her clothing brand, They Tailor.
Nyawo said that designing clothes saved her from depression caused by a lack employment opportunities.
She said that working in hotels in South Africa and in the Middle East as a hotel receptionist, she realised her job was no longer sustainable due to Covid-19.
"As a coping mechanism, I started flipping old clothes. I realised that I had a love for making clothing and entrepreneurship. I decided to start teaching myself how to design and make clothes by watching videos and reading articles."
She draws inspiration from her mother and from her clients who give her honest feedback about her work.
Nyawo works from a studio she created in her mother's house. She said the community and the neighbouring townships of Empangeni and Esikhawini have been very supportive of her work.
She said her dream was to have a fashion house that showcased authentic African aesthetics in modern and sustainable fashion.
One of her aims was to hire and
train unskilled youth who were passionate about fashion.
"People love fashion but they do not have the funding to get the required skills. With my experience I could inspire youth not to be afraid to start businesses and follow their dreams.
"Aspiring entrepreneurs must know that starting a business has its challenges. All that matters is that you remember why you started in the first place. We must embrace our failures and learn from them."
Nyawo pleaded with other designers in her area to work together in advancing their dreams and encouraged people to wear local brands.
