adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
DETERMINATION and passion for what you love are words that best describe South Africa-based Zimbabwean designer Thembani Mubochwa who runs the Teez-M fashion line. When he was a teenager, Mubochwa now 31, spent most of his spare time guarding his uncle’s tailoring tuck-shop in Glen Norah, Harare. To avoid boredom, he would, from time to time, play with sewing machines in the shop, while ensuring no burglars tampered around with his uncle’s source of income. Little did he know he was carving a career which would also be his source of income and fame.
Now, the designer who was in Bulawayo over the weekend for the Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo, dresses Mzansi’s A-Listers, showcasing at Africa’s prime fashion fairs including Durban July Fashion Fair and Zimbabwe Fashion Week.
“My career started like a joke when I was guarding my uncle’s tuck-shop that specialised in tailoring. It’s only then that I realised I was passionate about sewing as I used to enjoy playing with the machines. I decided to be taught and enrolled at a college where I learnt cutting and designing,” said Mubochwa.
After completing the course, he left Zimbabwe in 2004 for South Africa to seek greener pastures in the fashion industry.
“Back then, people here had no confidence in local designers as they never understood our trade. This is why I decided to leave the country for Johannesburg, South Africa, to pursue my career.”
In South Africa, he secured a couple of contracts where he worked with a Senegalese designer from whom he learnt the ropes.
It was in 2006 that the designer launched his own label Peo Fashion which specialised in urban and funky street wear. Peo is a Sotho word which means “seed.”
He said his breakthrough came that year when he met and tailored an outfit for gospel musician Sifiso Ncwane.
“I was lucky to meet Sifiso Ncwane as he entrusted me with his wedding suit. A lot of celebrities in South Africa such as Vuyo Mokoena and Lira liked it and made inquiries.
“They also referred other people to me and before I knew it, I was dressing part of the Generations and Muvhango casts,” said Mubochwa.
After realising he could make more money focusing on the high end of the market, Mubochwa decided to focus less on street wear, a move which led him to rebrand his fashion line from Peo Fashion to Teez-M.
“Changing clientele meant I had to relocate from Johannesburg to Durban.”
Locally, the designer has dressed ZiFM Stereo personality MisRed, Selmor Mtukudzi and husband Tendai Manatsa and the late Sam Mtukudzi.
The designer whose ambition is to dress Hollywood A-listers said his cheapest garment costs R3,500.
“I wish to dress Hollywood personalities and become like Ozwald Boateng who dresses American president Barack Obama and rapper Jay Z,” said Mubochwa.
“Our suits for men range between R3,500 to R15,000 while women’s dresses cost between R5,000 to R30,000.”
Turning to the local fashion industry, Mubochwa said there was a vast improvement as people seem to appreciate local designers now.
“Events such as the Intwasa Fashion show, where you have various designers showcasing their works, is clear evidence that people are beginning to appreciate our work. The support from the local corporate world is also commendable.”
Online Reporter