#75: Nonhlanhla Twala (KwaNyembe)
We're joined by fashion designer & student, Nonhlanhla Twala of 'KwaNyembe', who tells us more about Past Lives (2023), cooking experimental dishes, Beyoncè, Thebe Magugu, and so much more!
“I’m like a notebook with different handwritings in it” who i am is a collection of my past experiences and so i learn more things about myself everyday. My personality, my way of living, my thoughts, my favourite songs etc - all influenced by someone, something, somewhere. So defining myself is hard. But I’d say i’m a fashion designer, stylist, fiber artist (crotchet & knit), model, creative director amongst many other things. Im also very delusional so I think i can do anything & everything i want. Im currently a part-time fashion student at Villioti Fashion Institute. I have a fashion brand called ‘KwaNyembe’ which focuses on 1/1 crotchet /knit garments. KwaNyembe is a home for the weird kid who has always felt like an outsider/misunderstood, where there’s no such thing as “doing to much.”
We welcome Nonhlanhla to The FRM Newsletter to share what she’s been into recently!
🎧🎵 Music
I love Beyoncè Giselle Knowles Carter, the mother, the queen, the icon.
I struggle to find words to articulate myself most of the time and with music i get to express myself with someone else’s words/poetry like Zoe Kravitz said on the show, High Fidelity. Music holds memories for me personally, like the one time my late grandfather, my siblings and I were dancing to Jazz on Christmas day, like the one time my dad was playing “swim good” by frank ocean on a gloomy late night drive. My memories always have background music.
My music taste is very diverse & chaotic I confuse myself sometimes, I’m one of those people that just shuffle their liked music instead of making a playlist. so my playlist is titled “Liked songs”.
here are some of my current favs:
fireflies–Doechii
Closure–Kelela
Sorbet–Kelela
BRAT–Charlie Xcx
I’ve seen the lizard people–Chi
Shot by Love–Protojie ft. Toi
Umthandazo wamagenge–The Brother Moves on
Chosen–Blood Orange
6 Five Heartbeats–The Alchemist ft Vince staples
Fuck it I love you–Lana Del Rey
Rain–Lordkez
Glory–Lordkez ft. Maglera Doe Boy
Desireè–Blood Orange
Gabriel–Joe Goddard ft valentina
Healer–Mick Jenkins ft. Jean Deaux
Emini–Thandiswa Mazwai
Eusexua–Fka Twigs
Bout Noon–Protojie
Beyoncès whole discography
💟📽 Film
I’m a sucker for Romance, girly pop drama and psychological films, I can’t stand action movies. I love love well directed films, I don’t care how wack or clichè the storyline can be if the cinematography is good then i’m there as long as it’s not action/horror. A24 films have the best cinematography imo.
here are some of my fav films of all time;
Past lives (2023), loved every bit of this movie i could write an essay, felt so many emotions at once
Normal People (2020)
Moon light (2016)
Requiem for a dream (this movie traumatized me for 40 days and 40 nights)
Gossip Girl (2007)
Girl, interrupted (1999)
The Notebook (2004)
Beautiful Boy (2018)
InterStellar (2014)
One day (2024)
🍕🌏 Food
I only enjoy cooking when i make experimental dishes. I tried making pizza FROM SCRATCH the other day and for some reason my dough was undercooked and the toppings were burnt, A for effort i guess. Otherwise I try to eat healthy food.
👖👠 Personal Fashion
yho what a confidence booster. Girl, you can’t tell me nothing when i have a good fit on. I love me a good heel and some baggy pants! I like being different, I like experimenting with different silhouettes and I love getting the “wtf is she wearing” stares. I love finding a good balance between feminine & masculine however i’m planning on serving kunt this summer “suns out, bums out” innit. Fashion is the best way for me to fully express myself creatively, I feel like i belong there.
I also love thrift, affordable & unique pieces? SIGN ME UP
My favourite fashion designers are Nonhlanhla Twala, Vivienne Westwood, Mowalola, Thebe Magugu, Minju Kim and Rick Owens.
🧳🌐 Travelling
I don’t travel much YET. I look forward to seeing the world , learning about new cultures, traditions, tribes etc.
I get inspired by the smallest things, i try to find the beauty in everything around me and so I loveeeee being outside. You won’t find me home once i get my bag.
📕🤔 Books
Bit of a sticky one innit. I’m not much of a reader but i’m trying to improve my knowledge & vocab so right now i’m reading ‘The Return of Rafe of MacKade’ by Nora Roberts.
☮💌 Tips
Go outside, connect and find inspiration.
Practice gratitude.
Spread love.
Get enough sleep & Drink Water.
Post your work you never know who’s watching.