In this Month of Love let us also celebrate South Africans doing amazing things out there, with a special shout-out to entrepreneurs.
One such entrepreneur is Mashudu Tshivhilinge, owner of Elegant-U, a proudly South African brand that celebrates individuality with clothing designed to fit beautifully, and comfortably, for every body shape and size.
Growing up in Limpopo, Mashudu Tshivhilinge was inspired by the way clothes were elevated by their wearer. The observation and study of idiosyncratic quirks and the unique elements that make up personal style remained a fascination even whilst studying towards a BTech in Electrical Engineering.
Tshivhilinge found that many women veer towards ill-fitting garments that do little to accentuate their form, not always due to personal preference, but rather because of a lack of available garments suited to their shape.
In 2013 she decided to put a stop to this and set about opening her own business, Elegant-U, to produce custom-made pieces that cater to the unique attributes of all women. Eschewing the, ‘one size fits all’ rule, Tshivhilinge roped in the services of her mother, Sara Mudzweda, to help her develop a business model that would allow her and a team of local seamstresses to produce a capsule collection of classic pieces.
The collection pieces – produced seasonally – all adhere to a style ethos that prizes classic silhouettes and clean lines.
Inspired by shapes and colour, Elegant-U comprises simplistic designs based on the principle that clothing should fit your body with comfort and ease. The range consists of everyday ready-to-wear items, work wear and occasion wear. Prints are used sparingly but cleverly, as Elegant-U garments are designed for everyday wear.
Tshivhilinge believes that tailoring is the key to a beautiful fit, and as such, Elegant-U also offers consultation and tailoring services to ensure your garment fits to perfection.
Shop Online at www.elegant-u.co.za or visit the store at 12A Salt circle Arcade, 384 Albert Road, Salt River, Cape Town
Stand a chance to win a tailored Elegant-U garment of your choice in IOL's #MyHeart competition.
How to enter our #MyHeart competition:
Tell us who you love and why: whether it's the love of your life, your BFF, your cat, your mom, your boss or your second-removed cousin on your grandmother's side, we want to know why you appreciate them so much. If you are our pick for the best story of the day, you will win one of our amazing prizes, which includes a tailored Elegant-U garment of your choice, and be entered into our grand prize draw sponsored by Protea Hotels by Marriott.
Whether it's an urban escape, going off the beaten track or a romantic seaside soiree you’re after, Protea Hotels by Marriott has just what you're looking for. Visit protea.marriott.com/valentines-day for some unbelievable couple's experiences and imagine the possibilities this Valentine’s month.
So send an email to iolcompetitions@inl.co.za telling us your #MyHeart story.
You can also DM us on Facebook or Twitter, or tag us on Instagram.
Or download our app on Android or IOS and use our MOJO feature to send us your entry.
TIP: The more words the better, and if you have pics and videos, you can send that too.
The competition runs from February 1 to 28.
Winners will be notified by March 1.
Winners will be notified by email or phone, so please send us your contact details with your entry.
Competition Rules:
Selected story entries, pictures and videos will be published on iol.co.za and our social media pages. The winners' names will be published on our website and social media pages.
Your privacy is important to us. When you enter a competition with us, we ask for your name, email address and mobile number. We use email addresses to notify winners to let them know they have won a prize. We use the mobile numbers provided in order to contact the winner and for prize delivery.
The competition is only open to people residing in South Africa.
Employees of Independent Media, the sponsors & their agents, or any company associated with the competition & their immediate families are not eligible to enter. • Prizes are not redeemable for cash. • The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. • Receipt of entries will not be acknowledged. • The entrant accepts that entry to the competition does not constitute a contract or any form of legal commitment between the entrant and IOL.