DYNAMIC DUO!...

While attending the SADC Fashion week that took place in Zulwini over the past week, I was impressed by two designers and during my discussion with them, I knew just how much they would bring good to the everyday woman who wants to look and feel good, therefore I did not want to keep them in a box, hence my interview with them.
As Gcwala got to know them and the type of work they do, this is how the conversation went.

Can you tell our readers about yourself?
CMD: My name is Cebile Zwane Msweli of ‘Cebile Msweli Designs’. I am 28 years old. Having done my high school at Siteki Nazarene, I further studied fashion design at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria where I obtained my degree. I then went to Vaal University of Technology to pursue a Masters for which I am waiting to graduate in April 2018. I am running a fashion design business, where I design and make garments as per client’s specifications.
CL: I am Lungile Mngometulu. I am an upcoming fashion designer from Manzini around Mbekelweni area. In the fashion industry I go by the name of Carole Lubelo, an ex-student of Our Lady of Sorrows. I never studied this profession, which makes it a God- given talent that has been polished  by the elders in this lovely industry. 

Describe how you first got into the fashion industry?
CMD: The love for garment construction came to me at an earlier age from seeing my grandmother and mother make clothes, which really inspired me. It was then that I decided to make a profession out of it.
CL: Way back at school I used to find myself drawing dresses during my sparetime. I knew nothing about the designing profession until I worked at Woolworths. My drawing never stopped, which made my former manager Nosisa Sithole notice my talent, as she would always find me drawing during my lunch hour. She talked me into pursuing the dream as she saw the potential in me.

How would you describe your style?
CMD: My fashion style can be described as the classy yet endearing. I love structured garments with a soft touch.
CL: My style has to be anything simple with African touch, but when it comes to my customer’s needs, I am flexible like a spineless worm. I am always willing to make anything a customer ask for, with the exceptions of designs from the internet, unless the customer allows me to add some Carole touch into that item. This is me protecting myself from being a copycat.

What type of networking do you think is better for enhancing your sales?
CMD: Social media (Facebook and Instagram) has been a good platform in marketing my designs, thus generating sales.
CL: WhatsApp works best for me as I am able to control the customer’s flow rate to avoid over-working myself.  But as the company grows, I will use other social medias like Facebook.

What do you think is the best service a fashionista can provide to their customers?
CMD: Making timeless fashion garments that are of good quality is the very best service a fashionista can provide her customers.
CL: Being polite, friendly and humble at all times.  Delivering the best customer service in time and good communication skills with clients.

How do you manage your time to run your business efficiently?
CMD: I make sure I work eight hours a day to manage production and meet clients’ deadlines.
CL: I don’t take orders that are beyond my efforts and also once in a while i compromise and have sleepless nights just to meet my deadlines.

What do you think is the best strategy that works well for you to get more clients for your business?
CMD: Satisfying my customers helps retain them.
CL: I make sure that I never allow a customer to go with any designer wear if it does not suit him or her, as to avoid poor work products.

How do you want to improve yourself in the next year?
CMD: I want to do a management course that will help me manage my finances better and grow my business.
CL: I want to improve my communication skills with my clients.  Try my best to deliver on time and also treat my customers like the kings and queens that they are, as they are the heart of this business.

What was your greatest failure and what did you learn from that?
CMD: My greatest failure was expecting a lot of profit from the time I started my business, and when that didn’t happen, I fell flat on my face, demotivated. From that experience I learnt that every business, from conception, rarely makes profit, instead it needs money for supplies and equipment while you build good will.
CL: Not meeting deadlines and failing to communicate with my clients which made them felt less important.  The lesson from that experience was that communication is the strongest medication to run any business.

Tell me about your proudest achievement?
CMD: My proudest achievement was showcasing on SADC Fashion show 2017 earlier this month. It really gave me a platform to express my own fashion sense.
CL: Being able to overcome my fears of starting this business is one of the biggest achievements because fear of the unknown is the worst enemy to anyone’s success.

Who has impacted you most in your fashion business and how?
CMD: My family has made the most impact towards my business. From my husband and mother who have supported me financially, to my brother who has always brought his financial management skills, and everyone who have always put me in their prayers.
CL: The love of fashion, when you love something, do not want to stop doing it. All you want is to do better. Clients who keep on requesting for impossible designs, and being the creative designer that I am, I always make the impossible possible.  Plus both the people who don’t believe and believe in my dreams make me want to go beyond my limits just to make some proud and prove some wrong.

What is your greatest achievement outside of selling clothes?
CMD: Finishing my Masters earlier this year after so much hard work has been my greatest achievement so far. It has been a very long journey and it feels good knowing that I will be graduating soon.
CL: This industry is a soul collector. I have met a lot of different people across the country and made friends and families with different people in this industry.

What do you do in your spare time?
CMD: I am a very busy person and I hardly find time to spend with my family, so any chance I get, I dedicate it to them.
CL: During my spare time I listen to music, take walks with Meva Khumalo, or spend time with my family.

Where would you like to be in the fashion industry in the next five years?
CMD: I want to have a fashion boutique with a unique style that caters especially for both plus-size and petite women because I know how much they struggle to find fashionable clothing that suit their bodies.
CL: In the next five years I want to be in a better space because this is just a foundation of the big thing coming. Watch the space as I count my teeth using my tongue not my fingers.

What was your most challenging moment in your fashion career?
CMD: As someone who is still new in business, finances have been the biggest challenge. When clients don’t pay on time for services rendered, even paying rent becomes a big task.
CL: Meeting deadlines and communicating with my clients. But that has come to pass now as I have incorporated a new strategy on how to run the business.

Can you name some of your favourite fashionistas and explain why they are your favourites?
CMD: Quiteria and George are by far my favourites. Their style is just very creative, classy and adventurous. They inspire me a lot.
CL: Simo and Khumbu Simelane, Adam Mawelela and Phumlile Dlamini are the four souls who win my heart, they always look the part like they are going for a photo shoot.

How do you motivate yourself to keep the business up?
CMD: I am always motivated by the dream I had always had of owning my own fashion house, and to get there, I need to work hard.
CL: Love and passion for playing with colours and every customer who wants to look unique as my company’s slogan is ‘Dare to be you.’

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