African contemporary designer and stylist Rina Chunga, who is also founder of the Rich Factory brand, tells us about her debut at the SA Fashion Week.
By Fundiswa Nkwanyana
Image Instagram
My business card is written “fairy godmother”. I believe that I’m a fashion fairy godmother because I bring people’s ideas to life through it. I love working with African fabrics, prints and textures because they take me back to my heritage. It is also important for me to tell the story of the African child who loves prints, plus they brighten up my mood and bring me joy!
The collection I showcased at the SA Fashion Week is called Pink in Lukanga. Although nervous and tired beforehand, when the moment arrived, a sense of calm and peace came over me and I enjoyed myself. Lukanga is the name of the village that my father comes from, while pink is my favourite colour. The collection is about hope in a small place. It’s also my idea of what women would dress like today, had we not been colonised. I collaborated with chocolate brand Aero because it wanted to break into the fashion crowd; I was also looking for a fun brand to sponsor me.
The fashion industry is very competitive. This is because many designers are doing great work. But, I don’t compare myself to others; I focus on what I’m doing. I also motivate myself on a daily basis. Sometimes a shot of tequila with a pinch of salt also does the trick!
I’m excited about my upcoming projects. In December, I’ll be showcasing my designs at the Mozambique Fashion Week. I’m also working on a new project with Flying Fish called flavours of fashion. All these opportunities keep me motivated, and that makes me happy.
