DESPITE only recently learning the basics of sewing and designing clothing, Likhaya Mdledle from Sea Vista, St Francis Bay, is confident that with his determination and his willingness to learn, he will be able to create his own brand of fashionable clothing.
Mdledle’s love for designing clothing began at the age of nine when he started drawing different clothing styles for women and experimenting with a needle and thread in an attempt to sew his mother’s clothing.
“When I was younger, I would sew a simple skirt using my mother’s clothing and imagined that I had designed something amazing,” said Mdledle.
Apart from experimenting with sewing, he was able to watch his mother, Nomthunzi Mdledle, sew pillowcases.
After noticing his interest in sewing, his mother then taught him how to sew together a few pieces of material in a straight line which took some practising to perfect.
“My mother played an important role in my love for fashion design. By watching her sew, I was inspired to sketch and design clothing,” said Mdledle.
A few years later he began watching fashion shows which further ignited his love of creating fashionable clothing and inspired him to pursue a career as a fashion designer.
Despite not having any formal training as a fashion designer, he worked on improving his skills by watching YouTube tutorials every day and putting what he learnt to practice.
“Since I began watching YouTube tutorials, I have learnt how to draw sketches, cut various patterns, set a sewing machine and attach sleeves. I am also currently learning how to sew a zipper,” said Mdledle.
He said the YouTube tutorials have helped improve his skills, but he hopes to complete a fashion design course to further expand his knowledge about the fashion industry.
With help from his mother and YouTube tutorials, he is now able to design shirts, skirts and cushion covers.
He has also been practising designing trousers which he has found to be quite challenging, but he believes that once he can perfect sewing on a zipper and pockets, he would be able to create the fashionable trousers he has envisioned.
“I am new to designing clothing, so I still have a lot to learn. I am currently focusing on perfecting what I have learnt so far and once I feel more confident, I plan to learn about other designs as well,” said Mdledle.
“I am passionate about what I do, and I give it my all. I face challenges every day, but I face them head on.”
After posting about his desire to design clothing and his need for material and various equipment on the Cape St Francis Community Facebook page in September, he received various fabrics, a sewing machine, pattern papers, needles, threads and zippers from two women in his community, Janet Duval and Sharon Tarboton.
“When I received donations from people in my community recently, I immediately began sewing and designing various clothing. It was truly a blessing that they were able to donate these items and all I can do is thank them for their help,” said Mdledle.
His hope is to establish his own fashion brand or business which would enable him to dress celebrities and inspire the youth to believe that their dreams can lead to their success.
