Bulawayo-BORN designer Thando Magumise is destined for greatness after her debut at the Fashion Week Middle East last month.
Woza Weekend Reporter
The Fashion Week Middle East is a platform to introduce international designers to the Middle East and Magumise was invited by the organisers to showcase her Spring/Summer 2015 collection.
The event was held on October 3 in Dubai and the former Girls College student grabbed the opportunity with both hands to showcase her brand — the Ntombi Couture.
“It was an honour to be invited and it was a great opportunity for me to introduce the Ntombi Couture brand on a global stage,” she told Woza Weekend.
“I have always believed that Africa in itself is a brand and that we have great talent in our beautiful continent. 
“We have talents that can be shared with the rest of the world and be adopted as authentically African. This platform allowed me to share that vision.”
Magumise describes Ntombi Couture as a contemporary, high-end chic clothing brand inspired by Africa, her vibrant colours and culturally diverse people.
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“Ntombi Couture draws its name from the word ntombi meaning young lady in the Southern African languages of Zulu and Ndebele alluding to the idea that you are as young as you feel,” she says.
“The key message of the brand is: Africa is beautiful. You are beautiful.”
Ntombi Couture celebrates Africa through bold and distinct prints.
The mission of the brand is to integrate African prints that appeal to all nationalities and ethnicities into the global fashion market.
Magumise sees herself as an average girl from Bulawayo who values family and lives life to the fullest.
“I’m a daring young woman, filled with curiosity and always up for a challenge,” she said. “I went to Girls’ College for my secondary school education, where I had great teachers in needlework, business and art.
“The interest in these subjects contributed greatly to what has now become my passion: Ntombi Couture.
“The dream began when I won best dressed for our African themed leavers dance in Upper Six.
“My love for fashion design and business grew from that moment. I am a strategic marketer by profession.”
She started investing in Ntombi Couture as a brand about a year ago. Fashion Week Middle East was her first showcase at a global fashion event.
“I have also had the pleasure of showing my brand at an African entrepreneurs event here in Dubai earlier this year,” Magumise added.
