Shikombiso embraces cultural fashion design
A fashion designer known for reviving the xibelani wants to preserve the Xitsonga culture through fashion.
Shikombiso Desiree Bila from Nghezimani village, outside Malamulele, started her business in 2017 with her crocheted and wool xibelani creations. She has since expanded and boasts a large range of creations. She has dressed people like Gigi LaMayne, DJ Lady Shiks, and Netball SA. She was also part of ShoMadjozi’s project called ShoMa and the Stars book read.
She is one of 25 participants in Business and Arts South Africa and is showcased on platforms like Ekasi Fashion Week and AFACE. She was also named the best fashion designer by the Collins Chabane Municipality and recently opened a shop in Saselamani village. “I grew up loving fashion and modelling. When I went to study IT at TUT, most of my friends advised me to enroll in a fashion course, but I continued with IT.”
She says she started playing around designing garments and crochet at a young age. “In 2017, I crocheted a hat, and posted it on social media and I got a lot of feedback. I started designing more and more, and I decided to do it full-time.” According to her crochet is very popular internationally. “In South Africa people still expect the designs to be cheap but it takes a lot of hours and creativity to put a garment together.”
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Her father is her number one supporter and has encouraged her to open her first shop. “When I told my parents that I was going to be a designer full time, my mom told me to go for it, as long as you give your customers a good service.” She says she is inspired by her two sons. “I’m doing this for them, they must know that success is a mindset. I want them to one day also follow their dreams.” She says success also lays in consistency.
“You do it over and over until you become the best. If you give 100% every day, you’ll definitely succeed. Don’t give up, try until you get where you want to be,” she says. Shikombisa has a production house with a large range of designs to cater to the international market and employs as many people as she can. Her advice to others who want to start a business is to start where you are with what you have.
“Nobody is coming to save you, so all you need is a paying customer. Don’t wait for funding, just start. Practice, practice, and practice more and try to be better every day. “Also, you cannot be a jack of all trades, find something you’re really good at and focus on that.” She also advices entrepreneurs to invest in skills training and bettering themselves. “Being a designer and having a life outside of it, is tough.
