Issue NO.1

My Journey as a Fashion Designer

My Journey as a Fashion Designer

“At 13, fashion stitched its way into my soul”

There I was, a curious little girl, perched in front of my mother’s old sewing machine, the one she barely touched, tinkering with whatever I knew then. That little experiment became a polka dot swimsuit. The moment I stitched it together, I realised I had discovered something far greater than a hobby.

Soon after, Naomi Mxhabase found herself making chitenge hairbands and selling them at school for extra money. Those small pieces carried a big dream. Looking back, those were not just sales. They were the first threads in the fabric of my fashion career.

By the time I was 17, dreaming small was not enough. I launched my first clothing line, a chitenge collection that reflected my deep love for African culture and style. With no formal training, I relied on what I had. YouTube tutorials, guidance from admired local tailors and even online courses. Every lesson, every mistake, every stitch pulled me closer to the designer I was becoming.

The world began to notice.

In 2018, I showcased my designs at Zambia Fashion Week, an unforgettable moment that gave me visibility. In 2021, supported by the KUPES Young Women Network, I was honoured with a Merck Foundation Medal. These milestones were not just achievements. They were proof that my dream was valid and my voice was being heard.

Interestingly, my academic journey took a different turn. In 2019, I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Demography and Development Studies from the University of Zambia (UNZA). Yet, even as I studied population dynamics, my heart beat for fashion so much so that I designed my own graduation outfit and gala dress.

BlaQ Beauty

That calling birthed BlaQ Beauty, a brand that is more than fabric and design. It is a celebration of African women, our culture, and our confidence. My inspiration comes from the beauty and strength of African women and the vibrancy of our prints. Of all the styles I design, corsetry is my favourite. It sculpts the body in a way that highlights both natural curves and inner strength.

The road has not been smooth. Balancing the roles of motherhood, wife, and businesswoman has been my greatest challenge. There were moments I nearly gave up. But fashion taught me resilience, courage, and creativity. It reminded me that every challenge is just another stitch in the fabric of my design story.

Today, BlaQ Beauty is no longer just a dream. It is a brand that weaves heritage into modern style, bold, alive, and rooted in identity. My vision is to take it beyond Zambia, to share our designs with the world, and to inspire others who, like me, started with nothing more than a dream and a sewing machine.