Panashe Ndhlovu is part of a new wave of South African creatives shaping the industry with intention and individuality. With a background in fashion design and an impressive portfolio of styling work for clients like Spotify Africa, Ayra Starr, and Kiko Vitals, she brings a bold, joyful sensibility to everything she touches.
Her work carries a strong sense of story, from whimsical silhouettes that honour her inner child, to styling that balances colour, craft, and character with ease. In this interview, we speak to Panashe about what fuels her process, the role of play in her work, and how she’s carving a path that’s both expressive and deeply collaborative.
A celebration of authenticity, nostalgia, and creative self-expression, this is Panashe, worn by you.
Read on for the full interview Q&A.
Your styling and design work both have such a bold, joyful energy. How do you stay connected to that sense of play while navigating the fashion industry professionally?
I see play as an integral part of my creative process; it’s never separate from my professionalism. I stay connected to that sense of play by remaining curious and experimenting with colour, shapes, and proportions, while always being mindful of collaboration and the project's context.
You’ve worked with major brands and artists across Africa, like Spotify, Ayra Starr, and Dunns. What have these collaborations taught you about your own creative identity?
Working with Spotify Africa was my first major role as a fashion stylist, and it was a defining learning experience for me. I worked with three different artists, each with a distinct personal style, so the challenge was finding the balance between honouring their individuality, aligning with the creative brief, and incorporating my own vision and point of view.
This taught me that my creative voice could be both expressive and collaborative. I learned how to adapt while still contributing ideas that felt authentic to me and comfortable for the artists wearing them.
You’ve spoken about working with your inner child and channelling nostalgia into your designs. How do you bring that same energy into your styling work for clients?
Working with my inner child to me means listening better to my instincts and staying connected to curiosity and nostalgia. And I’d like to think that i bring this energy into my styling for clients by listening closely to what they want to achieve and using nostalgia as a tool, whether through colour or texture, to create looks that feel authentic to them.
What role does craftsmanship play in your process, whether you're styling or designing under By Panashe?
As a fashion design graduate, craftsmanship is essential to my process, whether I’m designing or styling. It pushes me to create work that feels intentional and lasting.
Paying close attention to fit, construction, and fabric ensures that even my more playful ideas remain elevated and considered.
As someone shaping a unique space in South Africa’s fashion landscape, what advice would you give to other emerging creatives carving their own path?
As someone still navigating this industry myself, I would encourage emerging creatives to stay rooted in their own point of view, because that is what truly makes you stand out, while remaining open to growth and collaboration. Your background, culture, and experiences are your greatest assets, so don’t feel pressured to dilute them to fit trends or expectations.
At the same time, consistency, preparation, and reliability are important but it’s equally important to take care of yourself, protect your mental health, and set boundaries, especially as a young professional who doesn’t yet have decades of experience.
Do you remember your first ever handbag? Tell us more about it.
I don’t vividly remember my very first bag, but I do know it was probably one I borrowed from my dear, darling mom. I've been sneakily stealing clothing and bags from her closet ever since I was a teenager. Looking back, that first bag felt like my first step into womanhood; it gave me a sense of independence and a little taste of feeling grown up.
Even now, I carry that same feeling, and over time I’ve built a collection of whimsical and unusual bags. They’ve become a core part of my personal style and a way to express my creativity, playfulness, and individuality in my day-to-day life.
Whose work in the South African creative scene is inspiring you right now?
I’m really inspired by my peers and other creatives around me who are working hard to make their mark in the industry. Fashion, styling, film, and music are all incredibly competitive fields, so seeing people I went to school with succeed in their own ways motivates me to keep pushing and working hard. It reminds me that we all deserve a seat at the table, and that dedication, collaboration, and persistence can help us get there.
Follow along on Panashe's journey here.
Panashe wears the Flora Bag in Butter and the Wave Bag in Lobser Red.
