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- The founder of the design house, Fabrosanz, Sandi Mazibuko, has been in business for 10 years.
- She is adamant about designing clothing that show off the beauty and diversity of South African cultures.
- The most significant challenge is that other designers or fabric factories make counterfeit versions of her textiles and designs.
- FRS is growing and plans to open a second store in Sandton next year.
It's been 10 years since designer Sandi Mazibuko carved her way into the fashion business.
The decade-long journey has been the most fulfilling, not only as a designer but as a businesswoman and person.
Her designs have been worn by former Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi, DJ Zinhle, Minnie Dlamini-Jones, Jessica Nkosi, and many other known personalities who have endorsed her unique designs.
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She tells W24 about how South African traditions and cultures inspire Fabrosanz (FRS) when she makes magic.
"My design style is a modern classic, and whether we are using prints or plain fabrics, the idea is to create timeless pieces," she says.
Although, she is known for the classic look, over the recent years, Sandi has been able to incorporate African print that boasts South Africanness.
Sandi's latest collection, Altitude Collection, introduces the brand's new print, designed in collaboration with Renaissance Design, and pays homage to South Africa's northern cultures, Venda, Tsonga, and Pedi.
"Both brands are fuelled by their love for the African continent and its array of multicultural heritage. The new collection is a special offering, inspired by the fabrics and motifs depicted on the traditional attires of the cultures," she says.
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Fabrosanz's previous and popularly known collection with the Nguni print was an instant hit in the world of fashion that she even showcased at Paris Fashion Week (PFW) in 2018.
For Sandi, going to PFW meant she had to showcase something authentic and original. It had to be a collection the world stage would be intrigued by.
But the success of the Nguni print designs came with challenges and battles she continues to fight.
"The biggest challenges we have faced as the brand are counterfeiting our design and our textile prints. This is an ongoing struggle. Ever since we ventured into textile printing, we have had many counterfeits where they copy both design and the fabric. We registered our textile prints with [the Department of Trade Industry and Competition] under [the] Design Protection Act No 195 of 1993.
"This has not stopped some of the designers from using our prints. We decided to go after fabric shops and recently won a case against Ankara Textile company that sells African print fabrics," she says.
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These challenges have not stopped Sandi from continuously coming up with creative ways to make FRS the elite South African design house it is.
"The brand has changed how people look at African fashion. Previously South Africans would only wear cultural-inspired designs to traditional ceremonies. The brand has managed to change this and make it into fashion pieces, wearable designs that you can add to your everyday wardrobe," she adds.
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The next chapter for FRS is opening more stores at our big malls and growing international markets by working with more buyers abroad. The brand has a store at Mall of Africa and is working on its Sandton Square store opening in 2022.
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