Pattern of success

PORT ELIZABETH clothing designer Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana, who was listed as one of 51 South African rising stars in this month's House and Leisure magazine, shared lunch with La Femme.

While designing dresses for her ever-growing client base this spring, she is also conceptualising an eight-garment collection for SA Fashion Week Renault New Talent Search 2013.

Busy as she was, Makhetha-Kwinana took time out to have lunch at the Bridge Street Brewery and enjoyed a chicken burger with chips and onion rings.

I like the Bridge Street Brewery because ... with the view and where it's situated, you don't feel like you are in Port Elizabeth. Sometimes it's nice to feel like you are in another city and far away from work and home. This place is best visited in the summer when you can enjoy the sun and cool afternoon breeze.

I love my career because ... I love creating. I love seeing my ideas come to life and people's reactions to something that was conceived in my mind.

I'll know I've made it when ... I own an 11-storey building with a glass wall art gallery at the top and my name outside that building. I have had this dream since visiting Paris and seeing the Louis Vuitton and Chanel buildings, I want to build my company to that level.

The person who has taught me the most, is ... I should probably say my mother, right?!

I have a soft spot for ... soft serve vanilla ice cream with crushed Ferrero Rocher on top in a giant sugar cone. My husband Kevin is a very, very close second!

I should have studied ... dance! That was my other career choice in Grade 10. Otherwise, after graduating, I would have wanted to continue studying fashion design in Europe.

I'd love to party with ... Richard Branson (the man has tea on top of a hot air balloon ... not in it, on top!)

I'm reading ... a lot of book titles on my iPhone but I haven't been convinced yet to load any.

When I was 16, I wish I knew ... that life doesn't end at 21.

My music weakness is ... Florence and the Machine and anything with a great baseline.

Nothing makes me happier than ... laughing with my loved ones.

My favourite item of clothing is ... my yellow lace Nike Air Jordans.

I absolutely hate ... not finding a solution.

I am saving to buy ... an Audi S5 or Q5.

I share my life with ... my best friend AKA hubby.

I can't go a day without ... my best friend AKA hubby (newly wed ... still deep in the honeymoon phase)!