Fikile Zamagcino Sokhulu (FZS), a Durban-based designer has made a name for herself in the industry with her unique and bold designs inspired by femininity and nature. 

The rising star in the African fashion space debuted on SA Fashion’s New Talent designer programme in 2018, she has since become one of the top designers to look out for in South Africa.

Participating in SA Fashion Week and the Milan Fashion Week as part of the Fashion Bridges initiative helped her build her brand as FZS.

Sokhulu's designs are known for their bold colours, unique prints, and modern silhouettes.

Her design spirit is anchored in femininity and youthfulness, she says “I admire women. The femininity visible in the design aesthetics of the brand reflects that admiration. Fragility and strength play a significant role in the tone and voice of the brand.”

FZS brand aesthetics are inspired by femininity and nature and an aspiration to create an organic aesthetic while adorning the African woman.

Sokhulu has received accolades for her work, including being a finalist for the SA Fashion Week New Talent Search in 2018, and in 2020 she collaborated on a fashion collection with Mr Price. She is considered one of the most promising young designers in the country and continues to push the boundaries of South African fashion.

Her latest collection, showcased in October 2022 for SA Fashion Week was named Black Diamond for Autumn/Winter ‘23 Collections. Cultivating greens, golden and natural colours to tell her story. 

“The initial concept was inspired by black diamonds and adorning this rare beauty in women. I wanted to create shapes that were flattering to women, but I also wanted to create structures and textures that are new. I love working with hard and feminine textures, putting them together to create a specific and unique identity. With this collection, I wanted to explore new territories and I also acquired help for tailoring to get a new perspective on how to create,” Sokhulu says.

Another collection by brand FZS is Willow with a combination of red and white to evoke an aesthetic feel of strength and serenity. The bold red and the calm white are references to that. 

The shapes and silhouettes in the collection are inspired by the idea of embracing femininity and organic shapes. 

“This season’s collection is inspired by the Willow tree–especially by its remarkable ability to adapt and change to survive – and how planet Earth strives for an ecological balance within the forces of nature,” Fikile explains. 

Fikile Zamagcino Sokhulu is a talented designer whose unique and bold designs have made her a rising star in the South African fashion industry. Her dedication to her craft makes her a true inspiration.

Join us next week again as we sew the ‘Threads of Inspiration’ with another African fashion designer breaking ground in the industry.