Kempton Park designer turns trash into fashion trends
A young fashion lover uses old materials to make new fashion items.
Passionate about fashion, Mfundo Excellent Jiyane is determined to make a name for himself in the industry.
With a creative mind and a unique approach to design, he transforms old garments into stylish new pieces.
Recently, Jiyane moved to Kempton Park to pursue his studies and follow his dream of becoming a renowned fashion designer.
He hopes to share his journey with the community and introduce one-of-a-kind designs that redefine sustainable fashion.
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Jiyane has been a creative person since childhood. Growing up, he spent most of his time painting and drawing, which later evolved into an interest in wearable art.
In 2021, he started painting on clothes, a passion that led to the launch of his fashion brand Element-G, with the motto: ‘Be in One’s Element and Thrive’.
“My brand is about blending streetwear with high-end fashion to create something unique.
“I design clothing from scratch and specialise in upcycling, turning old garments into exclusive, one-of-a-kind pieces,” Jiyane explained.
Upcycling is to creatively transform discarded materials into high-value fashion pieces, reducing waste and promoting sustainability. Jiyane believes this approach is essential in today’s fashion industry.
“In fashion, upcycling helps minimise waste by breathing new life into old garments. I want to introduce this concept to Kempton Park and inspire the community to embrace sustainable fashion,” he said.
Since launching Element-G last March, Jiyane has faced several challenges, including sourcing fabrics.
However, he turned this obstacle into an opportunity by focusing on repurposing old clothing into unique designs.
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“Initially, it was tough, but I stood firm and embraced every challenge. Not having access to new fabrics pushed me to experiment with upcycling, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise,” he said.
Jiyane has created innovative pieces by transforming school bags into pants, shoeboxes into handbags, and denim into caps, among other items.
His love for fashion started in 2018 when he discovered his passion for styling and photography. However, he wasn’t always sure about pursuing fashion as a career.
Over time, he realised fashion was an extension of his artistic expression.
Today, Element-G is thriving. Jiyane has received recognition for his work, such as radio features, support from industry leaders and mentions in prominent publications.
“Moving to Kempton Park, I hope to introduce my work to a new audience, build connections and gain support from the community. My goal is to inspire others and make a difference through fashion,” he said.
