Mbali Dlamini

"It was only after I won a primary school art competition that I saw my interest as something more than a hobby. This tiny win inspired me to see myself as an artist one day even though I had little understanding of what that meant. The professional part comes later as the vision becomes more tangible."

"I have memories of my childhood dreaming, drawing and always building like any other child."

"The design borrows and references past and current cultural practices in a multi dimensional way. Presentation comfort and maybe discomfort."

"Visual research is part of my practice, it is a methodology I use to inform and shape my work so it is, therefore, a primary language in my work."

"My work engages with contrasts, visually and thematically. I think this is also one of the elements FIELDS picked up from my work. For the collaboration the use of high contrasting colours was key and using a design element that allowed the theme to play out in jacquard knit."

"I am more interested in individual style rather than fashion, if fashion in this instance is related to the latest trend"