Local designer makes waves in fashion industry
"No certificate or teacher can decide your destiny, only you can," - Dineshan Pillay.
A FEW years ago, no one would have guessed that New Germany resident, Dineshan Pillay, would be living his dreams.
Dineshan, who only completed Grade 10, pursued a career in fashion design. He is self taught, however was later encouraged by his family after seeing his skills, to complete his matric through eThekwini Technical College in Springfield Park.
“Many people called me a dropout and thought I’d never make it in the real world. I went to Wyebank Secondary School, and then transferred to AD Lazarus in Reservoir Hills but was suspended from school that year. I went back to Wyebank Secondary School but only completed Grade 10,” said Dineshan.
He added that he always had good marks at school but was a bit of a delinquent and got into a lot of trouble with his teachers.
But that didn’t stop him. He said he gathered most of his ambition from mixed martial arts (MMA) and his drive to be the best, which has led him to create two national brands.
Dineshan owns Goonch MMA Fightwear and Iconn Clothing, which is based at the Pavilion Shopping Centre in Westville.
He has sponsored EFC fighter – Saxon Delafield, EFC featherweight champion – Lloyd Allan on his title fight and Amanda Lino on her first female championship fight in South Africa. He also sponsors Cody Chetty from the Dolphins cricket team and recently embarked on a sponsorship for several rugby players in France.
“It’s been hard work and stressful at times, but I’m really enjoying the business. I’m excited to be living my dream. My future goal is to expand the brand internationally,” said Dineshan.
Besides clothing, Dineshan also designed his own sneaker range which is urban funky gear that would appeal to the youth.
He is currently working with a new brand, Fly Wear, which has incorporated bluetooth technology into head gear such as beanies, snap backs and baseball caps. This new technology works with all bluetooth enabled devices that can access a frequency range up to 10 metres, so you can take a call or listen to music hands free.
“I hope my life story can inspire the youth of today and to help them believe that they can be anything they want to be, if they just put their minds to it and stay focussed. No certificate or teacher can decide your destiny – only you can,” said Dineshan.
You can check out his fashion designs online at www.iconnclothing.com
