LIMPOPO – Shikombiso Bila’s brand, Maxelo Style, recently represented Limpopo, the Tsonga nation, and South Africa at the prestigious Seychelles Fashion Week (SFW).

Bila (34), founder of the crochet-focused fashion brand best known for its xibelani (traditional dancing skirts), told the Herald that showcasing at one of the continent’s most recognised fashion events was a dream come true.

“When the organisers told me I would be one of six designers participating this year, I couldn’t believe it. In 2023, I was selected to go to SFW, but couldn’t attend because I had no sponsor.
So when it was confirmed this year that I would indeed be going, I was in shock.

“We were fortunate that the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture funded our trip, allowing us to showcase our work outside the country for the first time,” she said.

A designer shaped by family and culture

Bila was born and raised in Nghezimane village in the Malamulele area, in a family where entrepreneurship was a way of life.

Her mom, Sibongile, sold snacks and food at a local school, while her dad, Thomas, worked as a welder. Together, they instilled a strong business mindset in their children.

She never imagined that the needlework she learned at school would one day make her one of South Africa’s notable crochet designers.

Her journey began while she was still at university, when she bought two balls of wool for R50 to make beanies for her toddler son, Maxelo. After posting the beanies on Facebook, people began requesting custom woollen items, and demand continued to grow.

Encouraged by her growing clientele and those around her, Bila eventually left her IT internship to pursue her passion full-time. She launched Maxelo Style, named in honour of her son.

“I named the business Maxelo Style because it started with me wanting to make something special for him,” she explained.

Future plans

Bila says she has exciting plans ahead, including introducing both online and in-person crochet and xibelani-making classes, expanding into a boys’ clothing range, and one day showcasing at other top international platforms such as Paris Fashion Week and South African Fashion Week.

Follow Maxelo Style on Instagram and Facebook, or @shikombisobila on TikTok. She can also be contacted via WhatsApp at 061 457 1294.