Fashion is more than a career. It is a gift a Cape Town-based designer believes she was born to share.

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Emily Dorcas Tshiebua Mutombo (27) designs under the label Emelia D and believes her name reflects her calling: Dorcas, inspired by the biblical figure known for making clothes.

“I never chose this career; it chose me,” she says.

Having left Congo at 13, Mutombo uses fashion to preserve memories of her home country while drawing inspiration from her experiences in South Africa. People, cultures, art and everyday encounters all shape her creative process, allowing her to tell stories through clothing.

Her design philosophy centres on creating detailed, elegant pieces people can wear every day, rather than reserving beautiful clothing for special occasions.

“Every day is an occasion to dress up!” she says, adding that she wants people wearing Emelia D to feel happy, comfortable, confident and, above all, themselves.

A collection rooted in strength

At SA Fashion Week, currently taking place at The Forum, Hyde Park Corner, Johannesburg, Mutombo will present Bukola, a Tshiluba word meaning ‘strength’.

The collection explores the strength required to heal, particularly in a world where celebration and grief often exist side by side. It pays tribute to lives lost to GBV and xenophobia, while calling for compassion, unity and a renewed appreciation of our shared humanity.

For Mutombo, the collection reminds us that even in the darkest moments, people can find the courage to heal and stand together.

Her creative process also draws inspiration from unexpected everyday moments. One of her favourite colour combinations, lime and brown, came from noticing a man in his 60s wearing the colours together at church. A small glimpse of green beneath his brown cardigan caught her eye, inspiring her to put the combination on paper as soon as she got home.

It is a fitting example of how she finds beauty and meaning in the world around her.

Fashion that invites imagination

Now in her fourth year of building her brand, Mutombo is grateful to see her work gaining recognition and looks forward to growing Emelia D into something even greater.

She believes South African fashion’s storytelling, craftsmanship, and thoughtful approach to design will set it apart internationally.

With Bukola, she hopes audiences will look beyond the clothing to discover the messages and details woven throughout the collection.

“I would like for people to notice the subtle messages and elements and receive this collection for what it is and really free their imagination,” she says. Fashion invites us to imagine, reflect, and connect, believes Mutombo, who hopes to leave SA Fashion Week audiences thinking about the strength within themselves and the importance of standing together, even when the world feels divided.

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