Astounding fashion designer and entrepreneur Thando Ntuli is taking the South African fashion industry by storm! The twenty-five-year-old fashionista is the brains behind luxury clothing brand MUNKUS, which offers ready-to-wear clothes that can be layered into multiple looks for any occasion. Its collection creates an experience with youthful attire that tells a story through bold colours and prints. With never-seen-before whimsical designs, it’s no surprise that this year’s SAFW Talent Search Competition crowned Thando Ntuli as its winner. The fashion designer’s winning collection, ‘SISENDLELENI’, showcased the multifacetedness of South African women.
Rooted in integrity, MUNKUS is sustainable and committed to promoting environmental consciousness through fashion. The brand boasts classic silhouettes influenced by 80s and 90s South African fashion, creating an intergenerational modern style.
Moziak caught up with Thando Ntuli to talk about her latest career milestone and learn more about the inspiration behind her sustainable fashion brand, MUNKUS.
Hearty congratulations to you for winning the SAFW Talent Search Competition. How has your journey with the SAFW brand been?
It has been a dream come true, not only just being a finalist and the winner but also seeing how the industry has had so much hope and excitement for emerging talent. I have been welcomed with open arms; all that’s left is for me to push myself and do my best.
Your winning collection at SAFW, ‘SISENDLELENI’, was breathtaking, to say the least. Tell us more about what inspired it.
‘SISENDLELENI’ translates to ‘WE ARE ON OUR WAY’. Each look is named ‘ME’ in various South African languages and ends with a look with a seventh named ‘WE’ (ME, MINA, NNA, MNA, NNE, MINE, WE). Each look represents South African women. I wanted to design clothes for a unique and wider age group since I am influenced by both the past and the present. The collection looks have layered pieces, allowing each woman to wear it the way they want to and add their own twist to it. The prints and colours are both fun and have a simplistic modern look. This collection represents a collaboration of women on a path to finding their best ‘me’.
MUNKUS is a sustainable fashion brand. Why is environmental consciousness important to you?
I think that being a designer who looks beyond the sale and is concerned with the entire lifecycle of a garment is a reflection of true creativity. Knowing how something will affect the world even when I’m gone and making sure it has a positive story behind it is the best feeling and the type of creative I have always wanted to be.
You have shared that MUNKUS is inspired by generations of women. What is your favourite piece from the collection, and why?
I think all my circular skirts. They are such a staple piece in South African history, and it’s an element that still works for both the younger and the older women.
There is so much that goes into designing clothes. Which part of the creative process is your favourite?
Honestly, seeing everything come together at the end. The idea of what was once in my head being a tangible object is crazy. Having people finally understand a story I was trying to tell.
How did your collaboration with ‘Plain Tiger’ come about?
I entered the allfashion sourcing Young Designer Competition, which was in partnership with Plain Tiger. After winning, MUNKUS was signed as one of their brands, which resulted in it being part of their 2022 Sustainability Accelerator programme. They have become family, and I aim to grow MUNKUS into a creative and sustainable brand they can be proud of. I am truly thankful for how much I have learned from them already.
You were announced as one of Design Indaba’s Emerging Creatives for 2022. What was your reaction to this esteemed nomination?
I was screaming! I remember I was sitting at a restaurant with my husband, reading through emails, when I got the news. I have gotten to know so many talented creatives in the process and learned so much from the creative industry already. It is truly an honour to be a part of the class of 2022.
What is your advice to young designers and stylists who have aspirations of establishing their own fashion brands?
Don’t focus too much on making it perfect in the beginning; just start, then absorb, then grow! I am still growing.
