MOSSEL BAY NEWS - From sketching outfits as a child to making them, fashionista Busisiwe Mbekushe is all about making women feel beautiful in the stunning garments she makes from her home in KwaNonqaba.
Specialising in custom-made garments, including glittering matric dance dresses, gorgeous bridal wear, modern traditional and casual streetwear, Mbekushe's pieces are bespoke, intricate, and skillfully made.
She said her fashion design journey all started when she was a young girl: sketching designs, drawing on her own clothes and altering them. However, this was not when Mbekushe realised she wanted to make a career out of it.
This young designer, who was born and raised in Mossel Bay, said when she started posting her fashion sketches on Facebook, people started suggesting that she study fashion.
"My cousin informed me that there was a fashion course at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and that I should apply," she said.
Siyanelisa Manyhonta in a matric dance dress made by Mbekushe.
After compiling a portfolio, she submitted it. Her application was accepted, and she qualified as a fashion designer.
She graduated in April 2022, and in May that year, a friend bought her her first sewing machine.
"I did my first corset matric dress later that year, which was for my cousin," she said.
Mbekushe returned to Mossel Bay at the end of that year, wanting to use her diploma and pursue making garments for a living.
Onelani Blou in a dress Mbekushe made this year.
"When I started, I had no phone. I'd ask people to lend me their phone so I'd log on Facebook to post my work."
She said this method gained her a few clients, and while she was scared to take orders, the clients insisted.
"In 2023 I had about two matric dresses. I was excited; I got a bit of confidence in myself."
It was in 2024 that she registered her fashion label, BM Boutique.
"I was excited! I'd say that was the peak of my career. I made beautiful dresses, I started gaining recognition, and in 2025 I was awarded the Womenswear Designer of the Year Award by Thambo FM."
Noxolo Gwaza and Nobuzwe Masala in modern traditional wear Mbekushe made.
However, it hasn't all been smooth sailing. After some personal hardships, she felt she was on the verge of giving up.
She even had to make the difficult decision to sell two of her sewing machines and rent a machine to finish orders.
However, she loves what she does.
And when asked why, she said: "I love that I get to make women feel beautiful and elegant in my dresses. I love seeing their reactions from first fittings to the final, because a dress can look different from when we start."
Her advice for people who have a dream but are apprehensive about making it happen: "Start scared but don't stay scared. You might miss out on opportunities while being scared to be seen. Once you start, there will be people to support you. If you fail, fail forward and always have faith; your faith will carry you through, and a gift given by God will be sustained by him in each season."
Busisiwe Mbekushe in one of the streetwear outfits she designed and made.
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