Self-taught fashion designer envokes African royalty

It all started when Zanele Sishi was invited to an important wedding where she was expected to be dressed to the nines. Unfortunately she could not afford the buy a fancy outfit, and that desperation became the fertile soil that birthed her fashion label.

The 44-year-old Roodepoort resident sketched out her ideal dress and immediately thought, “If I can draw this dress, I can definitely make it!” The next day she bought cheap material to sew her dress. “There was no pattern but it all started in my mind. I used my hands and sewing needle to make the dress. Surprisingly, it came out beautiful despite a few imperfections.”

Sishi, who is a quantity surveyor, wife and a mother admitted that she loves to dress up and always looks forward to special events such as weddings, high teas, galas and business seminars. As her sewing and design skills improved, she felt confident enough to put her work on social media and create StitchedByZan. The label specialises in African print fabrics and she revealed that she plans to launch the label officially later in the year.

Currently, the self-taught designer has five people on her team, including her models. She added that they not only produce eye-catching outfits, but accessories such as earrings, crowns and bags as well. “I love designing a lot because it gives me a sense of my own style. I design whatever comes to mind and it always comes out beautifully. Sewing makes my soul happy, I just love it. It’s my life.”

The entrepreneur said she plans on holding a women empowerment talk alongside the launch of her business to encourage and motivate other women in Roodepoort. She plans on using her story as an example to those women. “I want them to do something in their lives to put food on the table for the families, especially the unemployed ones.” And what a good story that will be.