LUYANDA // Founder & CEO of Revolt Clothing
There’s no denying our style crush on Luyanda Sithole, founder of Revolt Clothing, so we decided to kick off our new Zhenzee Gurl series with the South African-based fashion CEO, social media influencer and ultra chic fashion curator. We caught up with Luyanda in LA just before she moved back home to Johannesburg South Africa.
What does fashion mean to you? Expression.
What is your favorite part about being a business owner? Accomplishment. Seeing people happy, for instance when a customer tells me they just got a Revolt piece and they love it. That’s fucking awesome!
What changes do you see in the fashion industry? There is a shift from luxury fashion to street fashion and trends. Fashions ‘Trickle Up / Trickle down’ theory is reversed. Instead of Runway influencing fast fashion retail— luxury designers are looking to the youth and street culture to influence their collections. Instead of ‘Trickle-down, bubble-up.
Which fashion icons inspire you? My Mother, Rihanna, Solange and Fashion Blogger Man Repeller.
What is your biggest pet peeve? Pretentious people.
Favorite dirty word and why? ‘Cunt’ – it packs a punch in diverse ways.
What is your creative process like? I do my research. I check out styles and trends online, I check out what people are liking in stores as well as on social media. I keep my eye on what the youth are wearing. For my buying process I have to feel it when I see it, If not, I don’t buy it. It has to speak to me and if the market is saturated with similar products, I don’t buy it.
What words of wisdom do you have for aspiring people in fashion? Just do it. Don’t second-guess yourself. The time is NOW! Figure out what you want to do. Study your competitors. Research! Research! Research! Don’t think you are actually doing new shit; someone is probably already doing it, so do it BETTER.
What is your favorite food? I love ground beef and ground turkey—I’m so down for ground! I love curry very much!
What has been your biggest challenge in life so far? Moving to the United States – Los Angeles when I was 20 and staying there for 6 years trying to accomplish my dreams.
What is the best compliment you’ve received? You are very intelligent and you are going to do great things.
When you are not running your 'empire' what are you doing? Watching TV.
If you could travel anywhere right now, where would it be? Amsterdam, Tanzania and all the places in Africa I haven’t been yet.
Tell us about your tattoo: I have 3 tattoos. Yin Yang on my wrists because I believe in the philosophy of Yin and Yang. “Silver” on my groan area, that is my nickname. My fav tattoo is my Ankh that I designed. It was inspired by Erykah Badu’s live performance where she talks about the Ankh and it’s meaning. I added the map of Africa because I AM AFRICAN.
What is your favorite Zenzee style? Hippy Stripe Blue + Foxy Me
How do you like to wear your Zenzees? I’m super excited to wear them on the plane when I move back to South Africa. With boyfriend jeans. With a robe when I work from home.
Contact: @silverwears @betherevolt www.revoltclothing.net/
The Revolt Clothing Fall catalogue and lookbook are up! Shot by @suzannestrongfilm
Check out this rad mini doc on Luyanda >> The Fast Look by Charles Rali Jele
PHOTOGRAPHY @suzieQstrong // suzannestrong.la
HAIR & MAKE UP @jencmakeup // jencastelo.com
