Shamyra Moodley, an accountant, was on maternity leave after the birth of her son when she had the idea to venture into the world of fashion.
She created a blog, Laaniraani, where she shared photos of her personal style, featuring flashy glasses and vibrant fabrics. "There were fashion photos, but it was clear that this was my story, my journey to discover who I am," Moodley said.
Born in East London, South Africa, along the Eastern Cape, she grew up watching her seamstress grandmother assemble fabrics on an old Singer sewing machine. I always let her do the sewing and I would say, 'No, I'll cut and draw' — and that's still how I do it," she told CNN, adding, "I don't like the technical side of sewing, I love it as an art form. I like to be free to move around.
Moodley eventually left her job as an accountant to pursue fashion. The 40-year-old says that after a year of writing, Laaniraani became popular, earning her invitations to numerous fashion shows in South Africa.
Her official entry into the world of custom clothing came two years ago, when she made a skirt out of burlap and a bodice out of an old nursing bra—and wore it to a fashion show.