Gamalakhe fashion designer gets exposure
By Ntandoyenkosi Dlamini for the South Coast Herald
Hlengiwe said the main challenge she has faced as a designer is being underestimated and having to deal with people who want to know who she is before they could work with her.
Hlengiwe Gavu is a 22-year-old fashion design intern for Edgars fashion stores in Johannesburg. She is also a style maven who aims to show her knowledge of trends and clothing by the clothes she designs.
Growing up in a rural area, she was determined to make something of herself. “I was born and raised in Gamalakhe. I studied fashion and textile design in Durban. This is the place that fuelled my love for fashion and having a family that supports my studies and aspirations, made me want to do my best in fashion designing,” she said.
When Hlengiwe moved to Johannesburg in 2017, she entered for Edcon’s Design Innovation Challenge, which is an initiative that gave 14 young fashion design graduates the opportunity to bring their unique designs to the retail market. The initiative provides final year and postgraduate fashion students with the opportunity to hone their skills through learning platforms made available by Edcon.
“Unfortunately due to the nature of my contract agreement with Edcon, I can not discuss the project. But the opportunity they have given me is what I have been praying for. Seeing my fashion line, Redemption Royalty, in Edcon stores boosted my confidence as a young designer. Now I would love to work with other young women, just to share knowledge and skills. I am currently working on a collaboration with other South African designers and I am really excited,” she said.
Hlengiwe said the main challenge she has faced as a designer is being underestimated and having to deal with people who want to know who she is before they could work with her. “No man is an island but I’ve found that keeping your circle extremely small and letting your work speak for itself is essential. Also knowing your limits and where to draw the line. The people I do business with are not my friends, and my friends are just my friends; the two do not mix.”
On her way to building a recognisable name for herself in the fashion industry, she said she would love to work with South African designers such as Gert-Johan Coetzee, Orapelang Modutle, Duke Mngadi, and Ephraim Molengoane.
Article taken from the South Coast Herald
