Out of pure fandom, I interviewed Zoliswa Mbadu, aka @Zolfreckles—a model, content creator, influencer and the founder and designer of the fashion line, Evolving Revolver. With her characteristic features, make-up tutorials, cute Procreate self-portrait illustrations and sophisticated sense of style, she has amassed a substantial following on her well-curated and motivational social media pages. But another thing that makes her social media presence pop, is her effortless proximity to some of the coolest people and events of the Joburg fashion scene, in which @Zolfreckles could arguably be regarded as a veritable “It girl”.
“I’ve always been a fan of clothes for as long as I can remember. Fashion has always been a coping mechanism for me. Civvies Day back in primary/high school was always something I looked forward to because it was an opportunity to dress up and show my sense of style at school. Fabric has always fascinated me as well. When I was in pre-primary school, my teachers wrote my mom a letter asking her to buy me a bigger school bag because I’d always go into the craft room and fill my bag up with scraps of material that I’d take home with me.”
Despite early creative inclinations, Mbadu was steered towards pursuing a BCom due to family expectations. In post-democracy South Africa, many young people feel pressured to pursue perceivably financially viable careers due to influences like socioeconomic status, culture, and parental expectations, hindering the pursuit of creative paths. Ultimately, Mbadu recognised her true passion and switched gears, graduating from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) with a degree in Fashion Design.
But her career really took off once she began using social media as an outlet. When I asked what inspired her to pursue content creation, she answered, “While I was studying fashion, I started posting content on Instagram which I enjoyed. As time progressed, I started collaborating with brands. I didn’t know that content creation could be something I do full-time, at the time. I just really enjoyed it and it aligned well with my fashion design journey … I wouldn’t say I intentionally became a content creator but I kind of fell into it.”
Most influencers view social media as a means to play the visibility game, and @Zolfreckles excels at it. She identifies as a “marketing pioneer” but acknowledges the challenges of social media algorithms, which affect influencers’ authenticity and strategic entrepreneurship. The complex interplay between users, algorithms, and platform owners is something that has widely been interrogated and has particular implications on the African continent. But far from being a naysayer, Mbadu explores opportunities for creative innovation in the digital landscape.
“ … As much as social media has its cons, I think it’s a great platform that allows you to connect to a vast number of people … My main aim is to inspire my followers to be true to themselves and know that the things that set them apart are what make them special. We live in a world where most people are afraid to be their authentic selves … Most people look and dress the same. I love hearing stories about how I’ve inspired some of my followers to be more confident in their skin and embrace their freckles, for instance. Stories like that make me feel like I’m making a positive difference in people’s lives … ”
Her brand, Evolving Revolver produces eclectic designs that take inspiration from Cubism and streetwear, coolly reflecting the contemporary landscape of Joburg’s young fashion elite. Through its neoteric nuances and soulful lines, the surprisingly affordable brand’s collections are laid back, expressive, and even edgy, yet distinctly and defiantly designed for richtivities. Spearheaded by a young Black Femme designer, the brand is nothing short of aspirational and its social media page features prominent figures like one of South Africa’s most successful visual artists, Lady Skollie and influential writer and director, Zandi Tisani, wearing its garments.
“I came up with my fashion line while I was in university doing my 3rd year. The brand is inspired by the idea that as humans, we are consistently reinventing ourselves and growing. … I remember seeing Erykah Badu’s album, Mama’s Gun (2000) at Musica when I was about 7. It … stood out to me because of how similar her surname is to mine; Mbadu. In addition to that, my mom would jokingly call me “her gun” in Zulu whenever I’d pass out on the couch and she would have to pick me up and take me to bed. A few years later, I started listening to Erykah Badu and she became one of my favourite artists. She also speaks about the idea of constantly evolving, which later inspired the name of my brand … Evolving Revolver.”
With aims for fashion merchandising and buying, Mbadu’s star continues to rise at a dizzying pace. She remarks, “ … You need to be comfortable in consistently evolving to keep up with the new trends. This also means that you have to spend a lot of time researching these changes so that you can stay clued up.” Her stunning journey is an inspiration to aspiring creators, who she advises to “Stay true to your vision and who you are. Believe in yourself and your work. You must be your biggest fan before anyone else. Consistency is key.”
