Designer draws inspiration from different cultures

FASHION designer Lucia Makofane is fast making a name for herself in the fashion world.

Makofane, 48, of Lusaka village outside Tzaneen in Limpopo, makes dresses inspired by different cultures.

She started making her traditional designs in 1989. Her goal was to use fabric to celebrate and embrace her culture.

"I do beads and all sorts of traditional outfits from Xitsonga, Zulu, Sepedi, Xhosa and Ndebele. I sell my clothes in villages around Lusaka," Makofane said.

She said the course she did for fashion design 22-years ago really helped her find her niche. Makofane said she was happy since her dreams had turned into reality.

"Designing clothes like school uniforms is almost as simple as ABC to me.

"My children don't wear uniforms from other shops, I make them myself."

For all these years, Makofane's efforts to open a sewing project have been unsuccessful.

"My aim is to teach the youth and other unemployed people in the village a skill that could help them earn a living.

"I wanted to open a fashion design and upholstery project. So far, no one is prepared to join me to develop the project."

She also creates beautiful attires for weddings, parties, societies and different traditional events.

And her clothes are reasonable.

"It's easy to run the project as long as we can put our minds together.

"(As a community) we should learn to work together.

"We have many talented people (young and old) who can help grow this province," Makofane said.