Designer Mzukisi Mbane has found his niche in the fashion industry — and there's no turning back! Trained as accountant, the designer shares his journey in the fashion industry.
When was your fashion label, Imprint, launched?
I registered my company in 2012 after winning a competition. But it was under a different name when I started. Imprint, as a brand, was born in 2015 when I was redesigning my business after attending Design Indaba as an emerging creative.
What drives Imprint?
Imprint is more than just prints – it feels like a gift that chose me. The definition of Imprint is a forced mark. It points to the fact that I'm a qualified accountant, yet fashion imprinted itself on me. But the meaning doesn't just end there, it extends to the fact that, through my bold prints and silhouettes, my clothes leave a mark on everyone.
Tell us about your journey.
I've always loved fashion. My first exposure was at home, watching my mom sew. I would then translate that to doll dresses, which I'd create from her offcuts and sell to my friends. But that soon ended. As a boy from the township, I was told that's not what boys do. That killed my dream of being a fashion designer. So, I studied to become an accountant, but in my final year, I felt the urge to play around with fabrics again.
My mom showed me how to use her old manual Singer machine. And just like that, my love for fashion was reborn. And how did your love for print begin? I've always been drawn to print and colour. So when I put together my first samples, it was natural that prints were what I was drawn to. They also spoke to my African identity and what I wanted to achieve with the brand.
Why did you think it important to design for both men and women?
I remember writing a high school English report, and had chosen an article on Kanye West. It said that thanks to the rapper, real men could now wear pink. Right there, I knew I had a perspective. I knew I would one day get to create clothes that challenge the concept of masculinity, that went beyond the concept of men's or ladies' wear.
With my commercial background, the vision got stronger, with the understanding that a unisex line was more like diversifying my portfolio. Making clothes for both men and women makes Imprint stand out. It also allows me to sell to a broader market. For example, menswear might not do well in one season, but you can supplement your income through ladies' wear, which will also ensure that production doesn't stall.
More men are experimenting with prints. How should they approach this design, if at all?
We can't all be like Bongeziwe Mabandla, who can rock an Imprint suit with pride, or even like me, because I'm bold enough to rock prints head-to-toe. It takes a lot to be that guy [chuckles]. So, I'd suggest that men pair pants in a solid colour with a printed shirt or blazer, or vice versa. And when it comes to mixing bold patterns in the same ensemble? Always keep mixed prints in the same colour scheme first, until you're sure that you've mastered the art of pairing them.
For instance, prints that are in primary colours tend to work together, irrespective of the pattern. And also, this helps you first learn to be comfortable with drawing attention to yourself, which is almost aways guaranteed when rocking bold prints.
What would your advice be to men who are still scared to experiment with this motif?
There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. They should open themselves to experimenting with printed fabrics. Working with key pieces doesn’t draw attention to you. A perfectly tailored suit, solid shirt with a print tie, is the perfect and simplest way to introduce this style into your wardrobe. It’s also very important to take baby steps as prints can be a lot on the eye. Guys generally find a more reserved look appealing, so take it step by step.
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