Fashion designer urges youth to be innovative
From a young age, she started drawing sketches in her journal, and today she is making fashionable garments.
Phumla Nxumalo of Gamalakhe is making a name for herself in the clothing industry, after having studied fashion at three different institutions, Durban Institute of Technology, Lindiwe Khuzwayo Academy of Fashion and at the University of Johannesburg.
Phumla said she always had a passion for art, regardless of her doing different jobs over the years, she had a constant yearning to express herself through music, storytelling, and fashion and design.
She said having started in her younger days, she developed a habit of writing short stories that were accompanied by sketches, and also kept a journal of fashion sketches.
“Even my matric dance dress was from my own sketches, drawn in my journal. The passion grew over the years and with unemployment challenges in the country, I decided I should start making my own garments,” said Nxumalo.
She said unemployment will forever be an issue in South Africa, especially with the challenges the country faced over the past few years.
Her advice to the youth is to be innovative.
“If an opportunity doesn’t present itself, create an opportunity. Opportunities are everywhere just waiting to be unwrapped, there are countless problems to be solved and that is business right there, identify a problem then provide a solution,”Nxumalo added.
She said her brand, Zibar is ready-to-wear garments, although it was never her initial area of interest, but having moved to the South Coast, she had to understand her environment as well as study her market.
“I therefore shifted to more easy-to-wear garments, your everyday wear, as well as garments which don’t require or consume too much time during the manufacturing process. I am particular when choosing fabrics and quality is key for my brand, Zibar.”
“The name Zibar is derived from a Hebrew word ‘Hephzibah’ meaning God delights in her. Fashion is my delight and God delights in me, so this name fits my brand perfectly.
Phumla is also a beneficiary of the Esayidi Incubator and is currently located in Margate and is looking forward to see her brand grow.
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