Shimphiwe designs clothes for famous people

EVANDER – Simphiwe Hlophe’ (28) job is what makes him get up every morning.

He designs dresses for a living and has designed some for famous people like Winnie Khumalo.

“She wore a dress which I had designed for the South African Music Awards,” said Hlophe.

Other famous people he dressed are Sonia Booth, the wife of the soccer player, Matthew Booth, and the musician Thembi Seete.

Mr Hlophe lived in Johanneburg before he recently moved back to his home town Evander.

He matriculated at Hoërskool Evander High School and studied graphic design at Giga Skills College before studying for a diploma in fashion at the Vaal University of Technology after school.

He graduated as the best student in his university class in 2010.

“I realised graphic design was not my niche, but that fashion was and I have never looked back,” said Hlophe.

His high school teacher, Ms Marieta Venter, was the one who saw his talent for fashion designing.

“In high school I always used to sit through the night and sow when we were allowed to wear casual clothes to school so that I could wear something different than the other pupils.

“Ms Venter then said to me to go into fashion designing,” said Hlophe.

While he was studying, he worked with the well-known South African fashion designer David Tlale.

Hlophe has won the Vodacom Durban July competition twice with the dresses he has designed.

Competitors had to send their sketches of dresses four months in advance and there were several qualifying rounds.

This young fashion designer was also one of the first people to showcase their work at the Mpumalanga Fashion Week that is held in Nelspruit.

He has appeared on television numerous times and was chosen to showcase his work on the SABC 3 television programme Top Billing.

He has also appeared on SABC 1 programmes Ses’Khona and Seli Mathunzi.

Hlophe decided to move back to Evander when he noticed there was a gap in the market.

He mostly designs matric farewell dresses and wedding dresses.

He designs and makes the dresses and designs men’s clothing as well for special occasions, but he has a contract with someone to make them for him.

“In my line of work, every day is different.

“My clients give me a brief description of their personalities and what kind of dress they want, then I make it for them,” he said.

His greatest reward is to see the look on his clients’ faces when he is finished with their dresses and to hear them say: “That is exactly what I wanted.”

“To see the expression and excitement on their faces are the best.

“That is what makes me want to get up in the morning and decide I want to do it again,” said Hlophe.

He wants to bring more creativity to Secunda and the area in the way of a fashion show that he is planning for next year.

“I want to mix fashion, music and art at the show, but I still need sponsors in order to organise the show,” he said.

In his free time, Hlophe enjoys going on holiday and spending time with family and friends.

His favourite holiday spot is Bela Bela and his favourite colours are black and blue.

“The response I have been getting here has been great.”