Sandown resident Vanya Mangaliso always had a fashionable side
SANDTON – Designer and owner of Sun Goddess in Sandton shares her insights on the fashion industry.
Specialising in luxury South African designs and clothing, she’s a pioneer in the fashion industry. Established 18 years ago, Mangaliso has solidified her presence in the fashion industry with her quintessential brand Sun Goddess situated at Nelson Mandela Square.
Together with her husband Thando, they single-handedly changed the way the world looks at South African fashion.
“After meeting my husband Thando we realised that we shared the same passion and that was all things authentically South African,” she said.
“That is when Sun Goddess was born. Being in the industry for such a long time, we’re known for a certain aesthetic to the point where people ask for our designs.”
According to her, the face of South African fashion has changed drastically. “If you wanted a South African item you would have to get it sewn.
“Before people were not able to access proudly South African clothes – now it’s all over the place and we’re happy to have been one of the people who started the trend.”
Right now she is working on a huge textile project across three provinces. “It’s part of our overall textile project where we are creating our own fabrics to create value.
“We also started up-cycling denim to create new denim items, so that we don’t have to create more denim as it hurts the environment. My fashion is based on what I grew up watching.”
As an expert, Vanya shared some trends to look out for this summer. “Right now reversible, multi-use and light fabrics are big on-trend. We can also look forward to a lot of colour and quality clothing for the summer.”
And being a Sandton resident she loves how international it is. “Sandton is big but at the same a small community. I love the fact that it is a good business district and everything is centralised and accessible.
“In South Africa, there are always possibilities. Your current station in life is not your final destination. Sandton is the only district in the world where you can start selling sweets and treats on the side of the road and 10 years later become a huge business.”
Be sure to look out for the Sun Goddess summer range at South African Fashion Week this February.
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