#MakingIt – Tembisa man builds clothing brand
His love for threads and stitches developed while he was still at the University of Technology
The Dibaba clothing label is making inroads into Tembisa’s fashion design arena.
The brand was established in 2008 by a metallurgical engineer, Mr Neo Msimang.
After his short service in the engineering industry, Mr Msimang followed the calling of building an empire in the fashion industry.
“I had an important decision to make. I had to choose between spending my life as an engineer and becoming an entrepreneur. I chose entrepreneurship because I wanted to build a legacy,” he said.
He said choosing fashion over engineering did not go down well with his family at first.
“The challenge is that such an art is seen as a career path in the community,” he said.
His love for threads and stitches developed while he was still at the University of Technology.
“I started by sewing shirts and bags but I didn’t have an in-depth knowledge of the trade. I developed the sewing interest taking after my mother who was sewing curtains,” said Mr Msimang.
He said he didn’t see anything challenging in making curtains and he ventured into constructing more complex garments.
“I learnt patterns by looking at outfits displayed in shops. When I saw the difference between those clothes and my creations I knew I had to improve,” he said.
He started reading more on patterns and encountered a problem with measurements.
Mr Msimang never stopped reading to hone his skills.
When he had learnt as much as he could in fashion design, Mr Msimang needed to take the Dibaba brand a notch up and positioned it at a new level.
He then partnered with Matshidiso Moloko to redefine and re-position the brand.
“Matshidiso brought about an enormous technical perspective into the brand and together we can now do more,” said Mr Msimang.
He said Ms Moloko’s partnership turned the company around, giving birth to new designs which resonate with the Tembisa youth’s fashion style.
“I saw that partnering with Matshidiso, with her technical background, would help the business to go in the direction of achieving the brand’s vision,” said Mr Msimang.
Today, Dibaba’s main business is to tailor-make clothes according to the customer’s specifications.
“I feel we are on-track in building the Dibaba brand,” said Ms Moloko.
“Youth naivety can be a downfall in business. Entrepreneurs need to consider the aspects contributing towards completing the final product, instead of thinking about the product itself,” said Mr Msimang.
“That will help in laying the right foundation for the business,” said Ms Moloko.
Anyone who wants to enlist Dibaba’s services can call 073 604 0910 or 073 490 4938.
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