Thivhulawi Nethengwe

To start of I would firstly like to express that I am grateful for this opportunity, I feel that the initiative you are driving as an amazing one!!!! Now to dive in…. I can firmly say that from a young age fashion has always been something that was rooted in me, I started drawing from a young age with the hope and dream that I would one day own a fashion company/brand, growing up I used to cut my clothes a lot to create new garments which irritated my mom lol, but in my young mind, I was filled with curiosity as to what could become of the clothes I already had, ( I still cut my clothes till this day to turn them into something new) and paired with watching fashion related content my curiosity and love for fashion started becoming a burning passion. Fast forward to transitioning to high school, in my matric year, my love for fashion burnt ever more and become a light that could not be turned off, however, I won't lie I had fears... fears that it would not be a good career choice, fear that I wouldn't succeed, but, fortunately, I was blessed enough to have parents who encouraged me to follow my passion. So with the encouragement I received, I applied to study Fashion and I was accepted, and boy!!! when I say it was the best decision I have ever made!!!! Nothing is more fulfilling than living out your passion, it brings you so much joy and contentment which I will not trade for any other career. During my years of studying Fashion Design, I came to learn about all the different, unique, and exciting fashion styles and I was able to find one that resonated with me as it felt like home, and that is of course streetwear, for me streetwear is the most effective style of dress that one can use to express themselves, as you can create a beautiful, unique masterpiece that you can wear on a daily. With finding my style I came to find that I had a deep love and passion for menswear so, I just knew that was the route I would take. I am passionate about the menswear fashion industry thus, I believe that the best way to appeal to men pertaining to fashion is by putting as much importance and emphasis on menswear which is applied to womenswear, men too deserve clothes that are made, crafted, and designed with passion. My most desired goal related to fashion is to one day be recognized as one of the world-renowned leading female designers from South Africa in the menswear industry, pertaining to streetwear. Fashion is an exciting world if you look at it through your own lens and not the lens that society creates for you. Yours in fashion Thivhulawi Nethengwe