South Africa’s mighty women warriors

Pauline Munemo Chirume is a fashion designer and visual artist with more than 30 years’ experience. Her daughter, Tamburai Chirume, is an award-winning dynamo whose expertise ranges from fashion retailing and styling, to banking and wealth management.

They are the co-founders of ONEOFEACH, the South African label sure to delight at the Footwear & Accessories Show Australia, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, November 19-21.

Based in Cape Town, ONEOFEACH is renowned for its stunning ethnic prints sourced from across Africa, meticulous beading and embroidery, and – top marks for sustainability – clever use of leather off-cuts, especially for its exquisite embellished clutch bags.

The Chirumes’ influence extends well beyond their label. In 2018, they founded The African Academy of Fashion – now a fully-accredited institution specializing in garment construction, craft skills and creative entrepreneurship. To date, more than 400 women have completed TAAF’s courses and 80% of them have been snapped up by the country’s fashion sector.

Among other exceptional women in the South African contingent – 10 companies in all – is Colleen Chappe, founder and head footwear designer of Durban’s Azula Collective.

“Two years ago, I decided I wanted to become a shoemaker,” she explained in 2019. “I had 18 years as a strategist in an advertising agency behind me. Working in a factory in an industrial area is a brave new world, but one that I absolutely love.”

It has paid off handsomely. Led by Chappe and her team of skilled artisans, Azula Collective has won a strong following for its high-quality handmade leather shoes and accessories for women.

Also forging ahead is Fikiswa Mlomo, the power behind flourishing East London clothing and leather accessories company, Infix Creations, established in 2019.

In March, Mlomo won the award for Best Traditional Handbag at Hong Kong’s Asia Pacific Leather Fair – a triumph well deserved by the 49-year-old designer whose company is fully owned and managed by women.

Fikiswa Mlomo’s commitment to local craftsmanship has had tangible results, especially the exceptional quality of her hand-stitched leather accessories. The time-consuming craft also created inefficiencies until Black Umbrella stepped in.

Renowned for supporting small businesses in South Africa, the organization’s mentorship program – from financial planning to marketing strategies – put Infix Creations firmly back on track.

Rounding out the South African group are two much-admired males – Devan Swanepoel and Patrick Musil, the Cape Town design duo behind WEEF, dedicated to bow ties, skinny ties, suspenders and pocket squares in finest leathers.

All are designed and assembled by hand in-house and have featured in numerous weddings. Check out the nuptials on WEEF’s website. Pure romance.

Made in South Africa Brands have been making a name for itself worldwide as innovative, niche and quality products producing and assisting in growing and supporting potential buyer with reasonable order quantities. Visit the SA booths this edition at the fair and become part of an industry that empowers by sourcing Made in South Africa.