Rachel- the fashionista of Dundee

Her dress code instantly indicates what she is all about and she does not just look stunning, she carries the fashion trend within her. She has done so much to prove her self that she was called to the fashion industry. Rachel Molefe, not just a fashionista, she brought life to her own clothing range, Tambourine designs ‘brings some kind of joy to a person wearing it.

Like any entrepreneur with aspirations she wants to get into commercial trading thereby supplying her brand for bigger retailers. She recently found a home for her brand at Grandeur Boutique, owned by Andile Dlalisa and she says business has been going well as she has had clients locally as well as in neighbouring towns. She is thankful for the kindness and support by the company and at such as short space of time she has grown as a person and an entrepreneur. 

The competitions include that of this years’ Dundee July fashion designers and she has won it twice in a row. Her passion and hard work transpires in her designs too, although her range is for women she is on the verge of designing for guys too. In that she also wants to further her studies which she be focusing on designing bags and shoes.

The fashionista
Fashion has always been in the centre of her heart and she finally gave in to it after a long journey, which started, when she sawed for students at the university. She use to play around with her and sisters clothes as a young girl. She continued designing and sewing clothes even after university. She always had the clothing business going on the side while she was working full time. Her day job never turned her down to what she desired about fabric, in the end she gave her customers what they wanted of their clothes and she did it well.

Her sewing was another source of income for her even at University as it paid most of her needs and her mother did not have to stress out about sending her money. 
Asked how he copied with this extra work Rachel said, “ when you do something you love it does not ever feel like extra work because it brings you joy.” She worked for various Productions companies such as FCB advertising; she also worked as an Art buyer. She worked for 7de Laan as a wardrobe artist and production assistant as well.

Rachel comes from a family of ‘clothing makers,’ but she is the first to make it a career and actually reaps the fruits. Reminiscing on how her fashion-designing career began, she said it was through a prophet at her church during school holidays in 2001. At that time she was studying Broadcasting in Television at the University of Witswatersrand. This prophecy was heard by the Van der Merwes who donated their sewing machine to her.

At that time Rachel had no idea of how to use a machine. With the determination and passion she had she taught her self referring to the manual that came with it and with her mothers assistance too.
After that life was filled with excitement as she went back to University and started sewing clothes for students. “ I could turn any clothing item from what it was to something amazing and people liked it. They came to me if they wanted something or needed a fix for their clothes.” While her friends went out to parties she stayed at school Resident and did her clothing. 

The turning point

Her turning point came when she approached Cheryl Arthur of Divine Connection at a petrol station. Cherly than invited her to her clothing review of which Rachel attended. At that time she was working for Kiss Film production. Although the money she earned at Devine connections was lesser than what she earned at Kiss Films it did not matter because she had finally found her breaking point that she had delayed for a long time. 

Rachel is a strong believer of the gospel. Through out her journey it has been the Holy Spirit that has guided and led her to her path. Her family has also been supportive through out her journey and her cousins whom she said are more like her sisters and are her official partners. 

Her advice to women is that “they must find their own style and give themselves time to learn what they like and what suits them.” 
As a business woman she said “that people should not always look for opportunities outside but must start where they come from because small towns also have the potential to be bigger too.” She said, “ I fancy myself as one of the people that are and will be on the fore-front of rural development.”