In this edition of ‘You Must Know Them’, we feature 3 amazing young women who are part of the UNESCO Resilient Accelerator Program which aims to uplift female artists and equip them with business skills and opportunities.
Yolanda Ngwenya is a fashion designer and the founder of Bahkar, an upcoming fashion house. Identities Media was privileged to get to know the young fashionista up close and personal.
ID: Tell us about yourself..
YN: My name is Yolanda Ngwenya, but please call me Yolie. I am a Fashion Designer, Creative Director and Founder of Bakhar. I am 28 years old. So far some of my career highlights include;
– my work being featured on an article with British actress Tanyaradzwa Fear on both GQ and Glamour South Africa
– showcasing my Uptown Hippie Collection at the Durban Fashion Fair
– being invited to Lagos Fashion Week by the founder and my ResiliArt mentor Omoyemi Akerele,
– being nominated for AWEP (African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program) and showcasing through it in Washington DC, Chicago and Santa Fe
– A gown of mine being chosen to showcase in New York at the John Ablaza Fashion Show.
I would love to be remembered for incorporating all forms of art and creativity into my work, opening doors for African artists, and for being a
ID: What drives the work that you do?
YN: Creativity as a whole. I am a creative and that’s what I believe I was put in this world to do (amongst other things ofcourse). That calling drives me to work and keep working.
-God. To simply put it, God.
– I am passionate about a lot of things. Music, art, literature, knowledge, God, Fashion, Fabric, Dance, Theatre, Film, Food – all of these things inspired and move me.
ID: What do you see in the near future?
YN: In the near future, for myself, I see myself growing, expanding, building, traveling and achieving. For my brand Bakhar, I see it being recognised world wide, showcasing and being featured on very large platforms like Fashion Week (be it New York, Milan, Paris, London or all of them) and ofcourse on Publications like Vogue. For my community, I would love to see it grow. I would love to see a change and a transformation in our economy that helps build the youth. I would love my country to be more supportive of the Creative Industry. I see our Creative Industry growing and competing internationally. I see the Fashion spaces and industry I’m Zimbabwe being recognised and respected by not only Africa but the world.
ID: What are your parting words or advice?
YN: My advice to every Creative and Dreamer would be work on your dreams, don’t be passive, get up and learn, gain skill and knowledge that could help further your dream. Practice and work hard. For the Creative in business, make sure you have a product that is good, make sure you keep building your brand and make sure that brand is identifiable. Be authentic, know yourself, love what you do. Put God first and all else will fall into place.
And please, watch out for Bakhar..
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