Meet the designer behind the glamour of Mzansi's A-listers

The Herald

6 days ago

From the red carpet to reality TV, Zah Makhanya is the creative genius behind some of the most iconic fashion moments in South Africa.
Founder of Miracle Lux Couture by Zah, she is not only a highly sought-after fashion designer, but also a dynamic businesswoman, entrepreneur and wife whose style empire continues to grow.
Zah has styled and dressed Mzansi stars including including the late kwaito legend Mshoza, veteran actress Baby Cele, rising star Lorraine Moropa, Big Brother Mzansi 's Ashley Ogley, Omuhle Gela and Zamo Dlamini.
Her designs have also made appearances on popular Mzansi reality TV shows, further cementing her influence in the entertainment industry
"I believe in helping women feel powerful, confident, and beautiful, not only through what they wear, but how they carry themselves. Fashion is more than fabric. It's a way of being," Zah told TshisaLIVE.
"My most memorable moments must have been dressing the late Mshoza, who was always representing my brand with courage and style. I remember watching TV and seeing my dresses on the reality show. I cried and said I wish my mother was alive to witness this. She was always motivating me to work hard. Recently seeing Ashley from Big Brother Mzansi wearing my dresses at the Durban July warmed my heart. It makes me happy to see people loving and feeling great in our pieces."
When Zah started in 2014, she was selling clothes and juggling a corporate job. Today she curates special designs to make women feel beautiful, confident and strong.
Her flagship brand is renowned for its show-stopping gowns and sophisticated suits.
"My process starts with a vision. I look at what's trending, what clients need and what makes a woman feel good. I choose quality fabrics, sketch ideas and work closely with my team to bring them to life. I'm also influenced by what I see during my travels and what people are asking for. We get many of out garments from different parts of the world and bring different styles for our clients."
Expanding beyond fashion, Zah launched Zahfro Vietnam Hair, a luxury hair brand offering premium Vietnamese hair products.
"Hair is part of how women express themselves. By offering the products, I'm giving women more ways to feel confident and beautiful. It's not only about looks, it's about how you feel. I used to self-test and buy quality hair products. Clients kept asking me about my hair and if I sold the products. I started Zahfro Vietnam Hair to meet the demand."
Zah has plans in the pipeline to cement her name in the fashion industry.
"We recently opened a store in Midrand, and we plan to expand to more areas in South Africa and even abroad. I also want to start masterclasses to help women and young girls with self-esteem and confidence through fashion. We believe with time we will be one of the biggest boutique stores in history. Our vision and aim is to make it a generational business and feed hundred of families through job creation."