Fashion designer celebrates 15 years
HAILING from a family entrenched in business, it was inevitable that Makhosi Mthombeni would venture into entrepreneurship, establishing her own fashion house and fashion academy, Cosy M.
The mother-of-two, who has been in the fashion and designing industry for 25 years, recently celebrated the 15th anniversary of Cosy M which has helped many designers master their skill and created opportunities for women empowerment.
Born and raised in Ntambanana Reserve outside Empangeni, Mthombeni eventually moved her business to Ngwelezana, allowing her to reach more people.
'My passion stems from, when I was a young girl, seeing the older women come back from the cities with trendy fashions,' she recalled. 'As a voluptuous woman, it was difficult to find the right sizes, and I wanted to address this problem by creating outfits for all body sizes.'
Expanding her business footprint, Mthombeni is now looking forward to launching her store, and hopes to introduce business classes to the academy. This will provide students with business skills alongside design.
'It is sad to see someone who is passionate and talented, being drowned by bigger fish in every industry,' she explained. 'We would like to curb that by empowering them with skills to sustain their own businesses.'
Commenting on her vision for the academy, Mthombeni said she hopes to have her own premises, as well as joint ventures whereby graduates can undertake internship programmes and help the industry grow further.
'Just like any other industry, there will be days when you feel uninspired and you have to dig deep, find inner creativity and remind yourself to go back where it all began,' she said.
'My proudest moment is not only seeing my students graduate, but also seeing them go out and start their own businesses. And I am grateful that when clients walk in, they become family. For me, it not only that I made an outfit, but that I also made a difference in someone else's life.'