Friday Fashion Feature - Moonchild Sanelly

She’s a stylist, fashion designer, singer, poet, and trendsetter – she rocks blue woolen hair with pink lips to go with it. She’s known for her funky and sassy style and her name is Moonchild. Born Sanelisiwe Thwisa in the Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth she has since moved to Johannesburg to pursue a career in the arts.

Moonchild studied fashion designing for 2 years at Linear Academy. After she completed that course she received a bursary from the KZN fashion council - she was one of the 3 of the 15young designers (who were already establishing themselves) that was chosen to study business in fashion at the University of KZN. 

She made it in the top ten high fashion category at the Durban July and was the only student who went in.

She started making a name for herself as a musician, attending festivals across KwaZulu Natal. She has performed alongside artists such as Madala Kunene and the late Busi Mhlongo, she’s also collaborated with the BLK JKS as well as Thandiswa Mazwai. She’s designed clothes for Toya Delazy, Busisiwa, Nokwazi, Dj Doowap from YFM and Casper Nyovest. She works with corporate and everyday people. She does weddings. She also has a range that she’ll be showcasing in Feb/March.

Angela Nimah: Tell me about yourself. Who is Moonchild, where is she from, what is her background and what does she do?

Moonchild: I’m Sanelisiwe Moonchild Twisha, born in Port Elizabeth and raised by a single mother. I am the last born of 3 siblings.

I started in front of the camera as a baby model on different catalogues; I was an Edgars baby at 6 months, endorsed by Pep stores for a year when I was 4. I then started dancing, my mom would organise gigs and I would gather the girls from my street and teach them and then we’d go perform. I got invited to go teach at a church afterwards. I did Ballroom and Latin dancing and completed it; I stopped in my early high school years. I later did Drummies for a short while and by then I was singing – Beps girls is what we were called; I came up with the name.

I used to take Spice Girls songs, ones I knew and ones I didn’t from the net and put different tunes to them and tell my Mayes I’d written them, and it would be completely new songs. I’d choreograph, I never liked choirs, I never liked blending in – it was the rebel in us, but I’ve got a cause.

Angela Nimah: When did you realise that you wanted  to make clothes or be involved in clothes and fashion?

Moonchild: I always made clothes – for my dolls. And I would do fashion shows at home, it was natural. I hear my mom did fashion before I was born and honestly I had no influence. I always made my weekend outfits by hand; every Saturday I wouldn’t go out without having finished my new design ‘coz I had to rock it. My niece and sisters were my genie pigs – I thank them for allowing me to make them victims of my experiments.

Angela Nimah: How did the brand name or clothing line name, Moonchild Cultwear, come about?

Moonchild: I wanted a fashion cultural following, hence the ‘cult’, nothing sinister LOL –Moonchild Cultwear.

Angela Nimah: What are your favourite fabrics to work with?

Moonchild: I work with anything – obviously LOL I especially love working with… no actually I get excited every time I use anything – I use anything I know will work.

Angela Nimah: How would you describe Jo’burg style and fashion?

Moonchild: I’ve seen… there are a few trendsetters; a lot of wanna be trendsetters, it’s quite grouped. There’s the ‘we are different be cool’ group, the soul sisters, the ‘Rihanna’s’, the glambos…

I think Johannesburg believes it’s ahead, go to Durban where style is effortless and filled with authenticity. And please, please, Newtown kids, stop looking dirty and calling yourselves vintage, clean yourselves up man! It’s almost as if Newtown frequencies are dirty! Being dirty is not being different. Being different does not mean you’re stylish. Style. Style . Style. I don’t know it all; I just know how to correct it for my eye.

Angela Nimah: Besides the clothes that you make – when did your music career begin? When did you realise that music is one of your given talents and blessings?

Moonchild: I always sang. I started doing legit solo in 2006. I lied at home and said I was buying fabric and I actually wanted to check a show out and go to auditions for radio. So the queue was long and I decided to go to the show where I performed, from that day everyone was sold!

I got my first radio interview from that show. I think it gave me the boost I wanted. After I started I couldn’t stop – so I’d go to school and get my tasks done for the day and leave by 11. Wherever there was a mike I’d be there. Mostly as the only girl, as the only singer, everyone else was a rapper.

Angela Nimah: How would you describe your relationship with music?

Moonchild: It’s life. I will never sacrifice it. I am unhappy without it. I’ll do my best not to make everything I love feel side-lined. It all comes down to fashion and music; don’t make me choose though, I express myself in all of them. But if you want an unhappy me take away my music. I can always get better with it.

You lose people, things, but not the voice – actually you would lose the voice but then I would write; if I lost my hands I would record.

Angela Nimah: Do you write your own music?

Moonchild: Yebo.

Angela Nimah:Do you ever feel the need to perform at a peak to try and impress the crowd, and the people who love your music?

Moonchild: At a peak? Elaborate…

Angela Nimah: To an extent of impressing your crowd, or do you give naturally and that becomes your peak, your height of the performance?

Moonchild: I’m a natural darling. No ego.

Angela Nimah: How do you remain consistent and relevant – a performer is only as good as his/her last performance?

Moonchild: I try to perform like it’s my last as well. There are things that can take away from ones performance like sound. There are gigs I feel great about, some good about.

I deliver. It’s love and a job and at the same time it’s life; my life.

Angela Nimah: How do you juggle so many tasks – being a mommy, being a designer, being an entrepreneur, being a stylist – does it put strain on you?

Moonchild: It’s work and I love it. Sometimes I overwork myself and my body complains. I love it. What would I be without all of them?They make me happy. As long as you’re true, you remain relevant. People don’t like being force fed; I play with them in my lyrics, my persona, I tackle them lightly.

Angela Nimah: What makes a great artist or an artist who is gifted with a number of talents – because you find that in the time that we live too many people are doing the same as the next person. Too many copy cats and emulators?

Moonchild: Firstly, thanks, but I’m not great. I have merely laid a foundation for myself to build, grow and create. I also know that there are people who aren’t scared to be themselves thus resulting in creating things people aren’t used to.

There are also people who aren’t daring enough to try new things and are followers – we need these, it’s how one sells be it in music or fashion. At the same time people don’t catch on quick enough. As a ‘different’ artist it takes longer to break through than it is for a muso who’s doing what’s been done. We don’t all go into music for the same reasons; some it’s love, some it’s money – I love both.

From what I’ve seen it takes longer for the ‘cool’ sound to break into the SA market. Most of my homies are known overseas before in SA.*

Angela Nimah: How do you generate ideas – what motivates you?

Moonchild:Ideas - I’m inspired by women issues – I’m about that! I’m motivated by sex, abuse and empowerment. I’m a voice. I wanna make a change.

Angela Nimah: How would you define success?

Moonchild: I think I’d feel successful when I’ve accomplished things I want to. Being able to share them with my family and close friends. One never stops dreaming - but as soon as I can take care of my family through doing what I love, I’ll be good.

Angela Nimah: Does being an entrepreneur have a negative effect on your life? – the long hours and the extra steps.

Moonchild: It does, I work from home and we have help but at times you find that I’ll have to attend my babies (I’ve got twins) and it gets overwhelming. I do anything because of a deadline and that sucks sometimes. I’ve got a supportive partner though – very hand son with the kids.

Angela Nimah: How would you describe YOUR personal style?

Moonchild: Whimsical. It’s like selling sex in a candy store, packaged very sweetly with a touch of dark.*

Angela Nimah: What would your message be to anyone who would like to pursue a path in the arts?

Moonchild: Go for it! Protect yourself by knowing and by reading. The money doesn’t come immediately so you best love it and be serious about succeeding in your art.*

Thank you for allowing us the time to interview you Ms Moonchild - we loved it! Youre too awesome :) - You can find her by searching 'Echoes of Moonchild' on YouTube, she also has a performance video on her website www.moonchildsa.co.za

We would gladly appreciate your comments on this feature. Follow us @RVL_boutique :)

© Angela Nimah 2013

This compilation of work belongs to Angela Nimah