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Did you know that the creative and cultural sectors play a crucial role in SMME growth and economic development? The establishment of Creative Hubs which offer business training and access is supported by the Gauteng Government and contributes to creating youth employment and developing communities. As such, Constitution Hill is proud to have been enabled to create and manage The Creative Uprising Hub in the Transwerke heritage building on Sam Hancock Street. This project is supported by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development through its agency - The Gauteng Growth and Development Agency of which Constitution Hill is a subsidiary.
Since the inception of the Creative Uprising Hub, Constitution Hill has worked with multiple program partners to provide development programs; training and market access opportunities for Gauteng’s growing creative sector. Today we’re chatting to Vuyo Mavuso owner and creator behind Yammie Collectionz founded in 2015. Her brand has been a popular fashion plug for those who are in search of unique one of a kind pieces.
Vuyo Mavuso
Vuyo says she realized there was a market for her personal style when people began to compliment her on her self-made clothing. She explored her creativity as a business opportunity and worked towards establishing her own fashion brand.
“I am inspired when I design from multiple things like nature and I enjoy looking at different cultures to produce something new and unique. Japanese fashion also fascinates me and I bring this into my work when I make items like Kimonos and wraps balancing these pieces with African prints and luxurious fabrics.”
Vuyo believes that the category of Afrocentric clothing allows for merging of cultures allowing freedom of expression. She designs for all body shapes and sizes because she sees accessible fashion as the way of the future.
Vuyo feels that being part of the Gauteng Province creative market access programs has helped her to reach a global market at events like the Constitution Hill Human Rights Festival and international concerts and events hosted in the province. “It is motivating to know that the fashion I create reaches and is seen in countries around the world.” It is not always smooth sailing being a business owner. “ As creatives we face challenges such as access to finance. The criteria is very focused on well established businesses, forgetting that you're a starter/small business. It is also difficult to get shops to sell our crafts and sometimes we are stuck with a lot of stock that we do not sell.”
Vuyo’s advice for aspiring designers is to build relations with like-minded people, visit creative spaces, attend fashion shows and workshops, read fashion magazines and do short courses to attain more knowledge, and polish your skills.
You can visit Vuyo at the next Conhill Curated Makers Market as part of the Basha Uhuru Sounds of Freedom Concert on the 13th of September where she will be showcasing her summer range. Being part of events with so much heritage and culture It creates opportunities for me to showcase my brand and where I sell my fashion to an audience that is diverse including tourists.”
You can shop with Yammie Collectionz by reaching out to Vuyo and connecting in the following ways:
Email address :- vuyomavuso@yahoo.com
Instagram :-Yammie_collectionz
WhatsApp number :- 0641447672
