IDENTICAL yet different Sea Cow Lake twin sisters, Nishthi and Nivadni Sewnath (21) are participating in the Durban Fashion Fair mentorship programme and showcasing their designs in the fashion show which comes to an end on Saturday.
The pair graduated from the Durban University of Technology in 2016 and are currently are gaining experience in the manufacturing industry.
Nishthi , whose ladies wear label bears her own name said she had chosen a career in fashion as she is very creative and enthusiastic about clothing.
“I loved developing my talent into creating individual garments. The fashion world is also trendy and developing all the time therefore I wanted to be part of this and develop my brand,” said Nishthi.
She won the Gideon Merit award at the DUT Fashion Show in 2016, she will be showcasing her DUT graduation range at this year’s SA Fashion Week and Design Indaba and was in the Vodacom Durban July.
As a small child, she found she loved styling and creating fashion sketches. Since then, she has become a creative, enthusiastic, innovative and self-motivated young designer and developed a style that is simplistic yet creative with the use of elastic manipulations.
Nishthi’s latest collection was inspired by a close relative who has motor neuron disease.
Her sister Nivadni also has some fashion awards under her designer belt, she has won the best range on show at the DUT fashion show in 2016.
“My designing career had started when I was first interested in art and from there onwards I started sketching and designing fashion. Fashion is a fast paced career which involves a lot of work and commitment. You have to be passionate about what you are doing,” she said.
The ladies wear designer describes herself as creative, artistic and eclectic.“The latest emerging trends are stripes and sleeve slits. I have used these in my designs an incorporated sleeve slits into my cape designs.”
She was also a top 25 finalist at the Durban July. Nivadni, who likes to explore different South African cultures, has a style that is authentic, casual and simplistic.
“The DFF programme has been an exciting journey thus far. The programme focuses on the technical and business side of fashion. It also focuses on pattern making and garment construction. It is an amazing opportunity as it helps students to develop their own brand,” said Nivadni.
Nishthi added that the program helps designers with producing their own collections at the fashion show. The programme also provides an opportunity to engage with guest speakers such as Kathrin Kidger.
“We both always loved sketching and designing at a young age and this is what influenced us to do fashion. We always loved art and loved something to do in this career,” said Nishthi.
Despite the fact that they are identical, the sisters have a different eye for taste, Nivadni’s range is inspired by the African culture and she has incorporated prints and smocking.
“My collection was inspired by Space and active wear. I have used lumo colours to compliment this look,” said Nishthi.
The sisters look up to designers like David Tlale, Palesa Mokubung and follow local fashion bloggers Crystal Kasper and Trevor Stuurman. “Our future aspirations is to open our own business and have our own label,” said Nivadni.
