Prior to pursuing the world of leather she was a resort fashion designer and is very passionate about hosting fashion shows to promote fashion designers.
INTERVIEW WITH NOMPUMELELO
Tell us about the inspiration behind your project:
I realized there was a gap in the market for shoe and accessory designs in Zimbabwe and considering it is one of the biggest leather exporters in Southern Africa this encouraged me to contribute to the leather market. The aim for my project is to fill the gap in locally manufactured shoes that draws inspiration from the diverse and yet least celebrated culture, heritage, arts and crafts of Zimbabwe.
My inspiration is a combination of:
The back of the boot is an amalgamation of the history of the displaced BaTonga people to Binga from Kariba the home of the Nyami Nyami. Entwined in the artistic depiction of the chevron is a weaving on the bottom back feeding into the heel, derived from the popular hand carved Nyami Nyami walking stick. The tussle hanging on the back zip is drawn from the reeds used to hang-position the baskets during weaving. The rest of the boot is intentionally plain to draw attention to the story narrated by the back design.
What do you think makes leather a great material to design with?
Leather is one of the most diverse of all the natural design materials. Leather is available in all strengths and thicknesses, which gives it the flexibility of use when manufacturing for a huge range of sectors. Leather allows for a wide range of creative freedom as it can be worked into any shape or design, it can be laser printed on, embossed and painted on.
How do you think winning this competition will impact your career as a designer?
After I got diagnosed with a chronic illness in 2020, I took a back seat in the field of fashion and design as the work weighed heavy on my mental and physical conditions. I then decided to rekindle my love for leather craft, practicing and working on leather footwear has taught me patience in the craft as well as with myself. Winning this competition will solidify my dream of becoming a leatherwear producer as well as assure me that no matter what adversities I’m facing my dreams are valid.
What are your thoughts on leather and sustainability, and how you think leather can adapt to a fashion industry increasingly focused on sustainability?
The best thing about working with leather is that as a designer you know you’re creating a product that can be passed from generation to generation. Additionally, leather has the possibility of being revived or renewed.
Click here to learn about the Africa Design Competition.
Click here to learn more about leather and sustainability.
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Read Nicola's guide on how to shop confidently for preloved leather online.
Your chance to have your designs featured in a showcase in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia or even present your work at the Real Leather. Stay Different. International Design Competition in Europe.
We can’t just do what we want anymore. Everything from recycling to food production, land and water use has to be carefully managed in order to reduce our carbon footprint and create a better future for our planet.
There’s so much to celebrate with this material, and we’ve made a quiz to remind you just what leather’s capable of. So, can you pick the right multi-choice answers?
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