POLOKWANE – Fashion and fabrics have always been a part of designer, Patience Makanza’s life and despite focusing on her career, she says it is time for her talent to take the spotlight.
The 39-year-old says her love for designing came from working part-time in her mother’s bridal shop when she was younger.
“My mom was a bridal gown designer and I worked in her shop for pocket money every holiday. I got the opportunity to learn and seeing brides and their bridesmaids come for fittings was a beautiful experience for me. That’s when I fell in love with designing,” she said.
Born and schooled in Zimbabwe, Patience now resides in Bendor and is a family- orientated woman who loves what she does. “I grew up in tough conditions and to earn extra money, I asked my mother for a sewing machine and made duvets and cushions for friends,” she added.
After having been retrenched in 2014, Patience decided to buy her own sewing machine and began designing clothes and curtains. “I returned to work in 2016 but the fashion and design industry always drew me back. During all this time, I would catalog designs and would sew for my friends. I decided to formally register my business in 2019 to take it to the next level,” she added. Patience says putting smiles on the faces of her clients and making them feel good is what she loves most.
“I love designing outfits that have an ‘African’, yet elegant and fun feel to them. I also design curtains, cushions and table runners just to name a few.” Aside from being a designer, Patience is a Human Resource Officer for a consulting engineering firm, and she also makes homemade marmalade jam.
“Believe in yourself and never doubt your talents. The reality of the fashion industry is that fashion designers spend most of the time in a studio working until the wee hours so this industry prefers someone who is passionate and patient with their work. The diversity within the industry and how it evolves intrigues me because you design pieces for people who love different styles and it changes with every season. You can never put a limitation on what you wear,” she told BONUS.
Patience says her business is still growing but her path has been set and she is hoping to grow in leaps and bounds in the near future with fashion shows planned for this year.
Patience explains that the biggest challenges within the fashion industry is finance. “The dream is always bigger than the pocket. I haven’t overcome it yet, but I have faith with hard work, consistency and quality products, I will overcome that barrier,” she added.
