Gadat House, founded by Nompumelelo Nhlapo, is a luxury fashion brand based in Johannesburg. Inspired by her early passion for fashion and a vision to see young Black women lead in the industry, Nhlapo established the brand, named after her ancestral surname. Gadat House uses brown to symbolize her connection to her cultural roots and celebrates both aesthetic beauty and meaningful narratives. In a recent Q&A with BubblegumClub, Nhlapo shared how she shapes her designs and brand vision.
Thembeka Heidi Sincuba: How does your upbringing in Evaton North influence your designs and approach to fashion?
Nompumelelo Nhlapo: I think it has encouraged me to explore different narratives, and easily be inspired. I am the first fashion designer I came across in Evaton North, so there are many questions I did not know how to answer. I think I am a very curious designer. I am okay with doing it ‘wrong’, because I was never taught what ‘right’ looks like. And the older I get, the more empowering it is to create from a place of intuition.
THS: What challenges did you face as a Black woman entering the fashion industry, and how did you overcome them?
NN: There have been so many challenges. One of the biggest for me was coming from a poor background in an industry that isn’t kind to those without money. Another major challenge was breaking into an industry where men are prioritized and given more opportunities—it’s been tough trying to enter the obvious “boys’ club.” Even something as simple as finding someone willing to mentor me was a challenge. I am grateful for designers like Neo Serati who took their time to guide but most times it felt like the industry wasn’t ready for women or willing to take their creative voices seriously. I overcame these obstacles by building my own community, collaborating with women, and learning to be comfortable speaking about and asking for money. I’m still learning, but I no longer compare myself to where I think I should be or what I should have accomplished. I now understand that there are systems designed to keep people like me out, so I focus on why I’m doing this, on improving my craft, and on creating something lasting and hopefully creating a platform that makes it easier for people who come after me to make it.
THS: What role do sustainability and intentionality play in Gadat House’s creative process?
NN: I always say that my heart guides Gadat, and from the start, it was clear that I wanted to leave the world better than I found it. With so many brands creating so many new garments each year, I focus on producing only what is needed and avoiding overproduction. I never want to see any of my designs in a landfill, and if it means having a slower approach, I think that is worth it in the end. I also want to ensure that no one who works with me retires without having something to show for their contributions to the brand.
THS: What inspired the creation of the Amalahle project, and can you share its deeper significance?
NN: Growing up, I would often see men riding horses through the streets, transporting groceries or small appliances on wagons. It fascinated me how contrasting elements of affluence and scarcity coexisted in this one image. Despite transporting discounted maize meal from the mall, these men utilized a mode of transport often associated with opulence in a parallel reality. In a poor community like mine, there was always a sense of being forgotten or overlooked. Vaal has one of the worst potholes you will ever experience, water shortages happened more regularly than not and some areas went months without electricity. That feeling of unimportance made many of us feel invisible. For me, Amalahle wasn’t just about these men on horses; it was my way of saying to my community, “I see us. I see our stories, we have not been forgotten” and if it takes me building a luxury brand to make sure of that, then it is what I will gladly do.
THS: How do you select and collaborate with artists and other creatives for Gadat House’s collections?
NN: I take a spiritual and intuitive approach to collaboration. I’ve been fortunate to meet many inspiring artists with beautiful hearts who believe in the same things that I do, and I often rely on the feeling that someone is the right fit. For example, I had been holding onto the Amalahle story for years, waiting for the right community to bring it to life. When I recently met Yuri Pailman and David Blaq, I knew they were the collaborators I could trust to make it happen. David immediately entered the world I was trying to bring to life and completely understood what I was trying to do and Yuri elevated that idea. It was just a feeling.
THS: Looking ahead, what new territories—both creatively and commercially—do you hope to explore with Gadat House?
NN: Where do I begin? I have so many ideas. I’d love to collaborate with major brands like Johnnie Walker and create something unique with them. The idea of exploring the connection between women and whisky, which isn’t often considered, would be so exciting. I also dream of hosting my own fashion show independently, at a location and time of my choosing. Overseas showcases are definitely on my list, along with having my own studio. I aspire to become a Mercedes-Benz ambassador and have them sponsor a show—big dreams, I know! I also want to do more pop-ups and live interactions. As for the next step for Amalahle, we’re working on a fashion film and planning a screening—fingers crossed!
As Gadat House continues to evolve, Nhlapo’s dedication to storytelling through design, the support of her community, and her focus on sustainability and local narratives foretell a vision of African luxury that is self-sustaining. With a future defined by innovation and empowerment, Gadat House is poised to inspire and uplift both within and beyond the fashion world. We look forward to witnessing how Nhlapo’s blend of creativity and cultural pride will shape the next chapter for the brand and contribute to a vibrant and equitable future in African fashion.
Pssst! Gadat House have not released the film yet, but here is a never before seen snippet courtesy of BubblegumClub.
