City Stylin’ : A Story of Fabricated Dreams
Thanda Kunene talks to the guys behind Durbanite fashion brand Godz who started with not much but their desire and passion to succeed in the fashion industry. After much slog and learning all about doing business right, Godz designs are worn with pride by Durban stylistas and they’re making it big in Jozi with their own shop at Campus Square – Sharpile Thanda for the inspiring words! If you are a small creative business who’d like to be interviewed, please email Editorista on editor@represent.co.za Meet Smiso Mpafu and Nkonzo. Two young fashion designers that run a Durban-based fashion label by the name of Godz. Now for those of you fond of Durban street culture, you might have noticed the once-off individual custom design clothing which is of abundance around the sunny streets of Durban. Here is a low-down on the fashionistas and their path of entrepreneurship…
* How did the name “Godz” come about when choosing a name for your brand? Design is a God-given talent.
* Out of all the careers in the world, why choose fashion?
Fashion is our main passion in life. We grew up around it, and there is nothing in the world that could take away the urge for doing fashion.
* Please give us an outline of your typical day at work.
The day’s work is prepared for the day before. Or else we also hang out waiting for people who want custom designs. As you know in the fashion world there is never a repeat of the previous day’s work.
* Since when has the fashion label been running and what challenges did you come upon when starting the business?
The label was formed in 2003 but was registered as a business in 2006. We had issues with funding as we wanted to open a shop. Business was going well but we didn’t have an official shop to do business so we had to do door-to-door sales to to raise the capital for a proper work space.
* What are the achievements you’ve reached within the fashion world so far?
We managed to get a shop in the central CBD but we lost out due to finances. We have now mangaged to obtain a shop at Campus Square which is located in the art hub of Melville in Johannesburg.
We also had a fashion show showcase at the Kirk Franklin Gala Dinner in 2007 which was at the Zulu Jazz Lounge, Durban.
In 2008 we had a chance to showcase our work at the eThekwini Easter Fashion Showcase. In 2009 we showcased at the infamous Umgababa Beach Festival and this year we endorsed the participants at the Kinky Hairstylist of The Year competition at the Southern Sun Elangeni hotel in Durban.
* I’ve always seen you as an individual dresser when compared to the majority of people around you. Do you only wear your own designs?
We design and wear our own clothing most of the time. You can’t grow vegetables and not eat them.
* Besides fashion and clothing in general, what else do you enjoy doing/getting up to?
Music. South African Hip Hop to be specific. We also record our own music and we go under the name Hip Hop Army.
* Who do you think has the type of style you really admire within
– Fashion brands
A Durban-based independent fashion label which goes by the name Exotic.
– Stylists
Our very own female stylist who goes by the name Nolwazi.
– Pattern maker/Designer
We think our cuts take the cake. We’re individual and not monotonous.
* Would you do anything besides fashion as a career and why?
Never. We see ourselves going very far within the fashion world. We’ve achieved only a bit and we aren’t even halfway.
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