Fashion designer from Edenvale to showcase her work
Tumi launched her online fashion business, Sophie Online, in 2019.
Edenvale resident and fashion designer Tumi Seepe will showcase her work when she competes in the #DestinyDesigned virtual fashion show this month.
Hosted by Miss Universe South Africa 2020 Natasha Joubert, the show aims to empower and showcase local fashion designers. Twelve designers were selected to participate.
Tumi launched her online fashion business, Sophie Online, in 2019.
“This business was a dream of mine for years, I left my full-time job to finally go all in. Each month we saw more growth than the previous one and it all looked very promising until lockdown hit.
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“I continued to pay my seamstress until our funds ran out but unfortunately, after the third month of lockdown, I had to let her go and look for employment myself.
“The lockdown not only impacted the business but also affected our product plan, as when restrictions were lifted, the seasons had changed, meaning our stock was off-season making it difficult to sell the clothing.
“We had to start from scratch with capital and re-establish our customer base.”
When Tumi heard she was in the top 12 she said her heart stopped.
“It wasn’t a bad realisation, but the kind that makes you wonder if you’re hearing correctly! I just remember thanking God because I could feel that this campaign was going to be big. The opportunity came at the perfect time. I was so close to giving up.”
The designers, who hail from around the country, will make two garments and have them modelled by reigning Miss South Africa Shudufhadzo Musida, Miss Supranational South Africa 2020 Thato Mosehle and the Miss SA 2020 finalists.
The virtual fund-raiser fashion was held on April 10.
After the show, the designers’ garments were auctioned online with the proceeds from each item sold going to the respective designers.
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