An Ikageng local, Dorah Norman, will soon be showing that no dream is too big to achieve when you believe in yourself.
Norman, a fashion designer who has lived her entire life (save a few years of studying) in Ikageng, will be showcasing her designs at an international fashion week in Italy from 27 June to 3 July.
Norman is the proud owner of Susky Designs, a business she started from the ground up with only a big dream and a lot of creativity. She was born in Ikageng and is a former learner of Boitshoko High School. She has been a fashion designer for more than 10 years and is loving every second of it.
‘Fashion is my job, my career, my life. I manufacture and produce high-end fashion and I specialise in women’s clothing,’ she says.
She designs and makes clothing according to her client’s specifications and specialises in formal wear like matric farewell dresses and bridal gowns.
Norman started her fashion career with her studies at a design school at the Indian Centre in Potchefstroom. She then furthered her studies in Johannesburg and later returned to her hometown to start her own business.
Her passion became serious when she started displaying her designs at the Department of Tourism events. Since then, she has exhibited at Aardklop, the Lentefees and many others. She has even showcased some of her clothing at a fashion show in Sun City.
Now, Norman will be able to showcase her designs to the world. This is the first time that South African designers have been invited to the Torino Fashion Match in Italy. ‘We will be able to showcase our unique South African fashion there for the very first time,’ she says.
Torino Fashion Week is a partnership with the Islamic Fashion and Design Council. Around 20 designers from South Africa will be showcasing their creations under the theme, Raw African meets Modern and Modest Islamic Fashion. This means that Norman will be taking her raw South African design and it will be transformed into an Islamic masterpiece to be showcased on the catwalk during this week.
‘There will be big buyers and this is an amazing opportunity for me to take my fashion line internationally.’
Norman will also be learning a lot in this week. There will be workshops by day and the catwalk will be lit up by night.
‘We will be able to work with other designers, distributors and buyers from all over the world.’ The show will be aired on television and Vogue and other large media companies will be covering the event.
‘It will be a special day for Africa,’ Norman says, knowing the eyes of the world will be on her and her fellow South African designers.
Norman is still in need of funding to help buy the materials for her designs. To make a contribution contact her at 073 717 2046 or suskymd@gmail.com.
You can also visit her website at www.suskydesign.co.za.
