KwaThema fashion designer dedicates her new collection to her parents

KwaThema – Nonkululeko Twala will be showing her collection “Chineke” under her label “Freedom and Guns” at the KwaThema Fashion Show on March 30.

Twala says she has always been into fashion as she grew up around it.

“My grandmother was a seamstress so because of that, I have always been into fashion.

“I cannot imagine doing anything else,” she says.

This was almost a reality for the Vaal University of Technology graduate as her father wanted her to be a human resources manager.

ALSO READ:

KwaThema Fashion Week looking for designers, dancers

“I was studying towards being an HR manager but secretly dropped out,” she explains.

“He was upset with me but with time my family saw that I was good and serious about it.

“They even bought me a sewing machine,” she says.

Twala says she makes clothes for people who want to stand out.

“My clothes are walking art and are inspired by current technology and international cultures,” she explains.

The name of the collection “Chineke” comes from Twala’s belief in God.

“I think all fashion is inspired by a Higher Power, so that’s why I named it Chineke” she says.

Twala says she is inspired by the cultures of others and channels them in her clothes.

“I look at the aesthetics and channel them in a way that still has a South African element to it,” she explains.

ALSO READ:
Back in fashion: the 90s

She says it takes over two months to conceptualise a garment before it being ready to be worn.

This, she says, is part of the reason the pieces are costly.

“People might complain about the prices but they need to understand how much work goes into the garment,” she says.

She also mentions that it is important to believe in yourself because the fashion industry is a difficult one.

Twala will be dedicating her collection to her parents as she wants to make garments that they can wear.

Nkosinathi Zwane, organiser of the KwaThema Fashion Show, says the fashion show is a great opportunity for local designers to show off their work and for the community to support them by buying.

For more information or to take part in the fashion show, contact Nkosinathi Zwane on 061 038 5461.