The brand is called FEYTH and the garments are Italian, with quality being at the forefront in making sure the garments exude power and class.

Words by Sizwe Shabalala

Multi-award-winning Digital Media Influencer, author, residential properties developer and now with a brand-new venture specialising in designing bespoke luxury women’s suits using the best quality craftsmanship, Kefilwe Mabote is showing no signs of slowing down as an entrepreneur. When speaking about the inspiration behind the brand name, Kefilwe says it is tied to her identity.

“My full name is Kefilwe Faith Mabote, so it’s a different take on my middle name but also a reflection of the faith that I have in both God and life. My faith has kept me afloat when the world turned its back on me. It has been the foundation for the space I’m currently in as it relates to my work and life. Growing the brand FEYTH is the epitome of believing and going after my wildest dreams. My name carries so much weight and I am grateful to be living in its testimony.” 

Like many forward-thinking entrepreneurs, Kefilwe saw a gap in the market and decided to take the opportunity presented to her. Having always strived for good quality products, clothes included, she says she noticed that the luxury brands in South Africa do not have professionally and expertly crafted suits. 

“I believe this lack can be attributed to the vast competition we have in the fast fashion and counterfeit materials market. This demand makes it seemingly impossible for one to penetrate the market at the proposed “luxury” price. International companies, particularly those creating bespoke general wear and formal wear, always cater to European figures and neglect the African market they penetrate.” 

The idea for FEYTH is to cater to the African market and provide sound intersectionality for African figures within the bespoke fashion standards, which in the suit-making and tailoring business is centered on European expertise. This has been one of the first few small businesses to cater to this market. According to Kefilwe, the target market for the brand is, successful, professional, and driven women who want to exude power and class whilst still maintaining a beautiful sense of femininity. 

“FEYTH is for decision-makers and game-changers. We cater to women with a taste for quality suits. We aim to dress successful woman who want an outfit to speak for them before they do. An expertly crafted suit is a mood and confidence booster and what we hope to achieve is to empower women in giving them the right outfit fit for the occasion.” 

When it comes to penetrating the bespoke luxury clothing market as a new brand because people don’t usually trust new luxury products easily, it is often a challenge but luckily for Kefilwe, FEYTH has been met with great reception.  

“The reception has been astonishing. I was welcomed with open arms with a lot of enquiries and orders for my suits. The brand has garnered interest from international clients and buyers much to my surprise. When offering a high-end product, there’s always a thought in the back of one’s mind whether there will be an interest in the product and if it will succeed but my clients and the public have been very welcoming and supportive. My team and I are very appreciative and humbled by this.” 

In addition to the positive reception they have received since the inception of the brand, Kefilwe says other highlights include being able to sell their product to clients beyond just South Africa.  

“I never thought my influence and the reputable nature of my business would afford me this opportunity. I've had the privilege of dressing heads of state and royal families, and this has been my highlight to date. It feels good to know that my brand goes beyond the digital media work I do. To be known as a respected businesswoman in the clothing industry is something I revel in and I’m running with. I am proud of myself and my team for achieving such a meritorious milestone in such a short space of time.” 

In essence, FEYTH is a sustainable fashion-centred enterprise and for this, they use expert Italian craftsmanship with the finest Scabal materials in manufacturing and delivering bespoke suits. The Scabal-cloth-making process is a very intricate and delicate process that has been quite innovative in how they source and manufacture their cloths over the years. The intricate weaving process and made-to-measure ethos ensure no wastage and cut down on wastage. By using natural materials in the manufacturing process, harmful impact to the environment is eliminated. 

“Scabal’s superb quality makes it evident that the finished product is made to order and is bespoke. It is important for us to go down this path as a brand. We are not about quantity but rather quality. By positioning ourselves as a sustainable fashion brand, the consumer knows that their suit is made to order and associated with a manufacturing process that cares for the environment. With this effort we hope to be placed top of mind in the market above other luxury brands in the suit-making business.” 

 While there have been many positives for the FEYTH brand since its inception, Kefilwe says this has not been without a few challenges along the way. As someone who has always been meticulous, paying attention to even the smallest details and making sure that every part of the business is taken care of remains very important to her.  

“The biggest challenge has been scaling up my enterprise. This of course includes noting whom to work with and discerning who is competent in what they do. The selection process for my staff, designers, and manufacturers has been quite challenging, but I’ve learned that thorough research and preparation lead to success. There’s a saying that goes: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” and I want everything I do to be a success. It is these aspects that have been a bit of a hurdle but outside of that, this has yielded quite a good return on investment on my part.” 

Like any business, especially in this economy, success is at the forefront of everything and every business defines success differently. One of the measurements of success for the FEYTH brand is public reception and interest in what they are offering. If it is a positive response and they’ve garnered attention, then they know that there is a demand for their product. Secondly, they look at sales.  

“The quantitative measure of how well we’re doing is crucial. Thirdly, we look at returning clients. Customer retention is very important. Lastly, reviews. What is the word on the street? Do our products come highly recommended? What is the language associated with my brand? This is what I use to measure the success of my business.” 

“I would love for my brand to compete with international and well-known luxury brands such as Versace, Gucci, and Salvatore Ferragamo in the suit-making business. The Italian way of making clothes is extremely unique and their expert craftsmanship is unrivaled. I hope to scale up and penetrate the African market and greater international markets without compromising on quality and style. It would be such an honour to dress even more prolific individuals and have a well-known and recognised brand globally. That’s the vision!”