FASHION FIRST FIRSTFASHION Trendsetter and designer. Entrepreneur and traveller. And a loving mother.These are the many hats of Sandi Mazibuko.Sandi Mazibuko is a fashion force. Her second store,House of Fabrosanz, recently opened at the Mall of Africa,boasting all the current custom Fabrosanz designs, as wellas an FRS menswear collection.Fabrosanz is a leading African brand that showcases thediversity of African cultures with quality, ready-to-wearclothing that is luxurious and authentic. Sandi, the fashiondesigner and entrepreneur behind the brand, shows nosign of slowing down.So where did all of this inspiration come from? ‘I grewup surrounded by women who adored fashion with thefashion conversation flowing from everyone, especiallymy aunt who made all her event outfits,’Sandi says.‘She would create multiple versionsof traditional garments to wear atlocal events and never wantedto look like anyone else whowas attending. Little did Iknow how much she wouldinfluence my journey laterin life.’Her inspiration doesn’tstop there. ‘I am Zulu, soI wanted to create printsthat showcase my culturewhile still being fashionable.‘I have been using Africanprint for years now andsomething was missing as Ididn't know the story of theprints I was using. I felt like thatneeded to change so I startedcreating prints inspired by culture, a printthat South Africans can relate to and are ableto take to the world.’This ethos resonates with her customers – the supportfor the new store has been overwhelming. ‘It’s such abeautiful time that we live in, to see people loving andproud to wear local brands.’She makes it look easy but building up her brand has takena lot of hard work, and it even started out as a side hustle.‘I started [this business] while I was working full time as anexecutive assistant. The business started from my spareSandi’sseasonal styling tipsSport-lux/athleisure: This trend is hereto stay and it’s so easy to pull off in winter.You can dress it up too. You don’t have to weartracksuits with just sneakers alone. Add a blouseunder your sweater and a blazer, then dress it upwith block heels for comfort.Layering: Don’t put all your summer clothes away.Instead, try to style them with your winter jackets bylayering. Winter doesn’t have to be dull.Blazers: Staple print blazers are a must-havefor all seasons.Bold print scarves and ponchos: Go for asolid colour and make a statement or optfor a bold print scarf and poncho. Adda fedora hat and you’re goodto go!room. I hired a seamstress to help me with orders while I wasat work. She would come in the morning and I would briefher before going to work. Then I would use my lunchtimeand weekends to source fabrics and meet with clients.’These foundations laid the framework for Sandi’sentrepreneurial prowess. ‘I am very hands-on in my business.You can put me in any department and I would be able todo the job. I believe in doing something that I'm passionateabout so I can give it my all.’Covid-19 naturally impacted her business. ‘The beginningof lockdown was tough as we couldn't work much and Ihad to let go of a few staff members. Thanks to our loyalcustomers, business started picking up again fromLevel 3. The team was able to come back towork and the business has grown evenmore as more people started to shoponline and we even had the demandto open a Johannesburg store.’Working this hard could meanburnout, so Sandi is cautious inpreventing it. ‘I love my me time,even if it’s just slowing downand working from home. I alsomeditate in the mornings, andwork out as well.’And, of course, there’s herlove of travel. ‘Every time I feeloverwhelmed with work, I traveljust to clear my head and refocus.I would like to visit more Africancountries with Senegal and Ghanabeing at the top of the list.’She also tries to prioritise family timebut is still realistic about the demands ofentrepreneurship. ‘I’m not sure I have mastered [a worklifebalance] as my work is too demanding. Travelling helps. Iplan trips with family, my partner and sometimes with friendsto reconnect and catch up but I do spend most of my timeworking. Hard work and prayer have helped me to get whereI am today, so I hope my children learn from that. They mustnever feel entitled to anything they didn’t work for.’Details: To see the stylish fruits of Sandi’s hard work, head tohouseoffabrosanz.com to update your wardrobe or follow Sandion Instagram: @sandimazibuko08 Get It Magazine May 21
May 21 Get It Magazine 09Text: TAYLA BLAIRE. Photographer: SIYANDA MAZIBUKO.