Nobuntu Sizolibusa converts all the negative perceptions of fashion identity with her unique take into what it should stand for.
For some, fashion is a dirty word often associated with convention, stereotype
Nobuntu, 24, is a storyteller, director, actress, writer, singer, designer and dancer. She is dressed in a black T-shirt emblazoned ‘I Love JHB’ in red; black and white polka dot high waist A-line skirt; grey cotton stockings; patent black and white kitten heels; and a grey tailored jacket.
Her hair is swept up, complemented by a beaded headband that is uniquely South African and uniquely Nobuntu. She shines through her clothing with a sense of confidence that is sorely missed in this generation of the self-conscious.
Nobuntu Sizolibusa
Nobuntu describes herself as a ‘city kid with a coastal heart’. Born in
She is an all round creative mind and uses fashion as just another form of self-expression.
Fashion for the Ladies
Nobuntu’s love for fashion comes from the two iconic women in her life – her mother and grandmother. Both represent the conservative but colourful glamour of the African lady, which inspires her.
It was her grandmother’s vintage Singer sewing machine that seized her imagination as a child and Nobuntu would watch as she created clothing or ‘art’. This was her first taste of fashion – and since then it has grown and morphed into a passion and an art form that adds to her creative soul and mind.
Two years ago Nobuntu and Lara Kelbe started their own fashion label, NOLA reflects affordable casual clothes with a couture quality and an African flair. Mother Africa and colour play a major role in the label and in Nobuntu’s waking life.
Fashion Inspiration
Nobuntu says she is mostly influenced by nature and, coming from eMgungundlovu, allows for the rural countryside to play a major part in how she believes the world should be. ‘Most of fashion's influences come from nature,’ she says. ‘When I design a garment I always go back to the source of natural colour, shape and texture of Mother Africa.’
She describes how nature plays a role in fashion. She says that the peacock is the perfect example of this – with its brown and orange back feathers representing winter and autumn and its front feathers, with their rich bright blues and pinks, representing spring and summer. From all this inspiration it makes sense that she aims to ‘look like a flower everyday.’
Fashionable Stereotypes
Nobuntu admits to making assumptions about people based on what they wear. If two identical men entered a bar, one dressed in slick business suit and the other in khaki and sandals, she would rather speak to the put-together man as he seems to have a more mature quality. It is stereotypical judgement that has also been placed on her.
She was turned away from television work based on how she looked and how she fashioned herself. She had a Mohawk with musical notes shaved into the sides of her head and was immediately thought of as edgy, a junkie and too radical. This taught her that there is much more depth to a person.
She believes that it is easy to group people into categories, but that is just the first layer. A true designer and a person of truth always knows to look beneath the surface. She doesn’t see fashion as a way to box people into categories, but rather as an ‘invitation’ to others.
Fashion Invitation
What you wear obviously does not define you, but it is the first layer, the first thing seen by others – it is your invitation. An example Nobuntu gives is if a person wears a micro mini skirt and a cleavage revealing top they are going to invite a certain type of person.
Therefore our ‘dress’ is essentially our life invitation. This seems an eye-opening point as what we wear is our visual invitation to others. Ask yourself, who and what are you inviting towards you?
Fashion and You
Nobuntu says to walk fearlessly you must be comfortable with who you are, your sensuality. If so you too will shine through whatever it is you have on.
Fashion does not have to be associated with convention, stereotype,
Become a storyteller through your clothes. Make fashion your own and make it work for you – your visual invitation to the world.
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Nobuntu’s Shopping Survival Tips o Figure out your body type. o Look at celebrities who have your body shape and see what looks good on them. o What is needed in every wardrobe is a pair of fitted pants, a simple dress and an evening outfit. o No effort is needed for shopping. Once you know what cut suits your body type you will be in and out of the store quickly with all you need. |
