Aspiring designer dresses stars

GAMALAKHE-BORN fashion designer Zamabhele Ntshangase is an all-rounder. She is the proud owner of fashion label Belle Couture, a poet and a publicist. She says she always had passion and an interest in the creative arts.
“After completing matric at Marburg Secondary School, I studied public relations at ICESA and then worked for several media companies as well as the Bat Centre in Durban as a publicist.”
She said her love for fashion was mostly inspired and influenced by performing arts. In 2016, she registered for a national diploma in fashion design at the Lindiwe Kuzwayo Academy of Fashion Design.
“Since my enrolment at design school, the knowledge that I obtained is indispensable, and noticeable in the ranges that I put together. I have been exposed to numerous design techniques, skills development and a business perspective within the industry.”
Ntshangase has participated in many prestigious fashion events and was awarded The Best Haute Couture Range for 2017 for her graduate collection.
“Some of my biggest achievements include competing in the Golden Rising Sun Young Designer Challenge where I made the top 10; the Vodacom Durban July Young Designer Awards, making it to the top 25 for men’s wear and top five for The Essence Young Designer Competition.”
She has dressed Uzalo actresses and actor Nokuthula Mabika (Thobile), Nelisa Mchunu (Fikile) from Durban and locally and Siphesihle Cele (Jojo) also from Uzalo, Pretty Ncayiyana from Scandal and Amanda Eve Mseleku of EYODO.
“I have also showcased my designs at one of the local community development events, Zomnotho Community Development Imbizo, and the Reggae Women’s concert.
She was also chosen to be part of the 2018 Durban Fashion Fair Mentorship Programme facilitated by industry experts and aimed at preparing young designers to build sustainable fashion businesses.
“My design philosophy is based on creating beautiful, classical, stylish and timeless garments,” she said.
“I specialise in exclusive couture, bridal couture, evening gowns, avant-garde and an array of ready-to-wear garments. The workmanship and dedication for detail, combine sheer elegance with exclusivity, glamour and sophistication, with a very slick pallet of colours,” she said.
Ntshangase believes clothing should express the personality and identity of a person as well the designer’s signature.
Her main goal is to run a studio, producing and manufacturing her garments for her target market.
She said she hopes to generate a new line of clients and aims to participate in the biggest fashion events nationally and internationally.