SPOTLIGHT ON SINDISO KHUMALO
Using bold prints and romantic shapes, the designer explores her South African heritage in a covetable collection
Meet the designer
Modernity, sustainability and beauty are all reasons why Cape Town-based designer Sindiso Khumalo’s eclectic collections are turning heads. She graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2005 and started her label 10 years later. She’s spoken at the United Nations on sustainability in fashion, presented at Milan Fashion Week, and exhibited her work around the world.
There’s a prairie aesthetic running through Khumalo’s designs, juxtaposed with beautiful prints and bold colours, but she says it’s African women who inspire her. ‘I’m fascinated by West African princess Sarah Forbes Bonetta, who became Queen Victoria’s godchild,’ she says. ‘Our Miss Celie print dress is also very popular; it’s named after the protagonist in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple. And our Miss Dorothy dress honours South African singer and activist Dorothy Masuka.’
Khumalo designs all of her prints by hand, using watercolour and collage. She works with women from small African workshops to create the textiles, intending to communicate African history through her designs. ‘I hope that our brand will be instrumental in developing local communities and creating more female entrepreneurs,’ she says.
Khumalo has two young children, and says reading is helping her navigate her way. ‘Recent reads include The Danish Way Of Parenting by Jessica Joelle Alexander and Iben Dissing Sandahl, and Don’t Touch My Hair by Emma Dabiri. This book has never been more relevant. It speaks to the traumas many Black and mixed-race children have experienced because of prejudice towards their hair; something that resonates with me. I’m glad I can pass on its wisdom to my daughter.’
Sindiso says she prefers to shop local. ‘In London I’d recommend Momosan Shop for Japanese pottery, Mad Atelier for interiors and J. Glinert for eccentric stationery.’ Accessories-wise, she has her eye on ‘a straw bag from my friend’s label, AAKS’; and for clothes, ‘I mainly wear South African brands, such as AKJP Studio, a concept store full of amazing designers, and Selfi by Celeste Arendse. I also wear vintage; my favourite piece is a shirt that was part of my grandmother’s church uniform. It reminds me of walking by her side to
Sunday service when I was very small.’