A Kayamandi-based fashion design studio has transformed their business into a face mask production site, after lockdown regulations put a temporary hold on the trading of their custom made dresses and accessories.
Yeyethu Designer Studio reopened to produce face masks two weeks after the nationwide lockdown was announced. This service has allowed the business to resume trading and serve the broader Stellenbosch community in the process, according to Lerato Mtiya, co-founder of the fashion design studio.
“We reopened again [to] make masks because people desperately wanted them, so that was the only opportunity for us to start trading again,” he said.
Shifting to masks
According to Mtiya, the selling of face masks has presented an opportunity for the business to stay afloat amid the nationwide lockdown, despite customers reprioritising their spending and being unable to visit the studio.
Lerato Mtiya, co-founder of Yeyethu Designer Studio, at his workstation in the process of making more face masks. PHOTO: Supplied/Rosalind Koch
“People are not ordering dresses. If people don’t order [masks], we don’t have a business,” Mtiya said.
The face mask production idea initially came from making them for family members, said Bulelwa Tito, co-founder of Yeyethu Designer Studio.
“From there, we thought it could be a business so then we decided to go for it,” she said.
Different from the rest
The quality and attention to detail of the face masks are what sets the Yeyethu designs apart, said Tito.
“Our quality is better because we make sure everything is client-friendly. Our production process falls back on attention to detail and the beauty of the face mask,” she said.
She added that because customers are wearing face masks every day now, the pair want buyers to fall in love with the fashionable design and bright colours.
Examples of the colourful face-masks available to purchase from Yeyethu Designer Studio. PHOTO: Facebook/Yeyethudesign
The design and comfortability of the masks stood out to Rosalind Koch, who purchased face masks for her family and church from Yeyethu Designer Studio.
“They use a good design of three layers of fabric and careful stitching. They are not only very comfortable to wear but are very effective at covering the face,” said Koch.
The pair at the Yeyethu Designer Studio is also cognizant of how many sizes the community would need, said Koch.
Family-friendly design
“They don’t just have a one size fits all. They went to the trouble of measuring for various child sizes too. From 0 to 5 years, 6 to 8 years, 9 to 13 years, as well as their adult size,” she said.
Koch added that the affordability and attention to detail of the face masks were reasons to recommend them to others.
“They make each mask with real love. They care about their community and don’t want cost to be a barrier to keeping people safe,” Koch said.
Yeyethu Designer Studio sells adult-sized masks for R35 and child-sized masks for R20.
A close-up of a mask produced by Yeyethu Designer Studio. Each mask is produced with two layers of cotton with an opening for a filter which can be thrown away after each use. PHOTO: Facebook/Love To Give