Friday Fashion Feature – Nix D-Lover

It’s a Friday and it’s the last day of the month and based on the moon’s calendar, it is the phase of the New Moon – new beginnings, self-discoveries and good intentions. So technically it isn’t really the end of anything, not to mention the beautiful rain that blessed us at 1AM this morning and might I add that it’s still raining! Signs from the universe, washing away the intense heat and the entire grunge that came with it – Hello Feb, goodbye Jan J

And to start off this lunar phase we’re featuring one of the most amazing females I know.

She is the epitome of gorgeous; she’s sexy, loud, fun, and funky and she oozes the sort of confidence every girl should. Her name is Nikiwe Dlove. She makes dressing up seem so easy, so effortless and so desirable, not to mention that beautiful afro which also has its own personality. She and I met early last year at a gig I was performing at – The feminine Touch series – at the time she was hosting the show and she had contacted me, adamant to see me get on stage LOL

Then I thought to myself, “She’s the perfect breath of fresh air for this year’s ‘welcome back. Here she is telling us about her life, loves and loathes J

Angela Nimah: Tell us a bit more about yourself. Who is Nikiwe Dlova? What does she do for a living? Where is she from? What is her background?

Nix: Nikiwe Dlova is a 25 year old (turning 26 in March 03) who lives in Diepkloof. I’m a fun, loving, outgoing, crazy being who loves reading & interacting with people. I matriculated in 2005 at Letsibogo Girls High School in Meadowlands, took a gap year because I didn’t know what I wanted to study so I worked in retail for less than a year, I got interested in the retail (Clothing Industry) then I went to the University Of Johannesburg to study Retail Business Management but then I wanted to be a Fashion Buyer, so I changed courses & studied Clothing Management & graduated last year. While at Varsity I worked as a Bartender, went back to Retail & also worked as a Dresser for Fashion Week; I wanted to gain more work experience, learn more about the fashion industry & make a little bit of money. It helps being responsible & independent at a young age.

I Love any form of Art. I used to sing & dance at school, after school even on weekends then I stopped, for what?? I still don’t know but a while back think in 2010 I saw this Reggae dude’s (Black Dillinger) status on Facebook asking for back- up singers & I went for auditions in Yeoville & I got in, it was a cool experience because it was all new & I learned a lot even though it didn’t last long. Currently I’m the Marketer/PR of The Feminine Touch Series which are events aimed at exposing talented Women in the arts (photographers, singers, poets, Mcees, etc.)

Angela Nimah: How would you describe what you do and what does your work entail?

Nix: I’m an Assistant Buyer for Sleepwear & Hosiery, myself & my buyer select items/products that will be stocked in stores, we do trend research, select colours, fabrics, designs, prints & choose a supplier that will manufacture the products for our target customers. We work closely with the trends department, marketing, CAD Artists, Planners & Suppliers. We monitor sales, do tests to see if the customers will like certain styles & discontinue styles that don’t work.

Angela Nimah: How important is image?

Nix: Image is very important. We get judged by how we look before you open your mouth & it doesn’t really mean you must look formal, it just means look presentable, approachable & comfortable. Tom Ford said it “Dressing well is a form of Good Manners”

Angela Nimah: We know that you hosted events dedicated to women who were independently making a career from their craft – what influenced the change in career moves from that to fashion?

Nix: It wasn’t a career move , with The Feminine Touch Series I was approached to be part of the Marketing/PR & I loved the concept of promoting Women in the Arts & giving them the platform to showcase their talent, so I was doing it part time because at that time I was still an Intern at Edcon then I got an opportunity to do what I’ve always wanted to do which is my career currently so I wanted to step back a bit from events & concentrate on my career but the events are still going to carry on, for now we are looking for a venue & working on getting sponsorship.

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

Nix: Sub cultures are growing like Boys of Soweto, Ikhothane LOL etc. Point is people want to be “authentic” in their own way (ahead of fashion, in fashion, out of fashion) I guess that’s why most people are starting their own brands to share their style, interests with the market.

Angela Nimah: What are some of the challenges you face in your work?

Nix: Flexibility, fashion changes every time & people change their minds often so we have to keep up with 

what’s going on in the market

When people don’t buy what you have put out that’s a major challenge as well as suppliers who can’t produce your products according to your specifications.

Late Deliveries, this means you’ll lose money & you’ll have no stock in stores.

Those are some of the few challenges…

Angela Nimah: Who and what inspires your style?

Nix: I don’t really have someone who inspires me, I just wear what I like or what I feel like wearing depending on my mood or an event. I like looking different; I don’t like limiting my style.

Angela Nimah: What do you love most about your afro – because it’s the one thing that stands out?

Nix: Aaaah love of my life, it was the best decision to go natural, I decided to cut my hair after matric, I was 18yrs & to me it represented new beginnings, change, challenge, growth & patience. I fell in love with it every day, I wonder if I’ll let it go someday & do something different.

Angela Nimah: I love how you state that it’s about patience, love that! - Are there any projects you are currently planning for 2014 – if it’s possible, can we get a snippetJ?

Nix: Yes, but unfortunately I can’t share, let’s wait & see.

Angela Nimah: Your confidence is one that just makes any human being want to have a conversation with you, at least one J - How important is it for women to embrace themselves and their self-love?

Oh wow thank you, trust me I’m still learning to be comfortable with myself & live fearlessly, I think it is very important for women to know who they are, who they want to become, and to be comfortable in their own skin. Women must love themselves unconditionally because no one owes you anything, that will help you to not have expectations & that will build character & confidence. Own the space you’re in & if you mess up its ok, you need that experience to make you a better person & that’s growth.

Angela Nimah: Wow! J What does style mean to you?

Nix: Style is freedom of expression.

Angela Nimah: What are you currently listening to – let us in into your playlistJ?

Nix: I loooove music! Ok currently I’m listening to:

Beyonce’s New Album

Chrisette Michele – Better (Deluxe Edition Album)

Robert Glasper Experiment – Black Radio

Kendrick Lamar – Good Kid MA.AD City (my King) *sigh*

J Cole – Born Sinner

Amel Larrieux – Bravebird

Frank Ocean – Channel Orange

Fat Freddy’s Drop – Based on a True Story

Jesse Boykins III

The Foreign Exchange – Leave it All Behind

Talib Kweli – Prisoner of Consciousness

Q Tip – The Renaissance

Andreya Triana

Zaki Ibrahim

Moonchild

Zuko Collective

Nubian Queen

Laura Mvula

List goes on….

Angela Nimah: Nice J - What advice would you give anyone who wants to pursue this sort of career?

Nix: Study Fashion Design or Clothing Management, be passionate about the fashion (Retail) industry, you must be open minded about fashion, believe in your product, be flexible; must be able to adapt to situations but most of all love what you do & have fun.

Angela Nimah: What are your dreams and aspirations?

Nix: To change lives, I want to start an Organisation/Book Club to motivate young kids in the hood to read books I want them to explore their imagination & not limit their minds also that will motivate them to dream big with no limitations, nothing will be impossible in their minds. I know this from experience thanks to my Aunt so I would like to pass that on. They usually come to my house to help them with homework so I’ve already established a relationship with them.

I want to challenge myself & go back to doing things that make me happy, explore my creativity & be positive. I believe thoughts manifests so if you don’t like your situation right now then change your thoughts/direction.

Angela Nimah: Where can people find Nix D-Lova?

Nix: Facebook: Nix D-lova

Twitter: @Nix_indamix

Instagram: Nix_indamix

If Artists want to contact at Feminine Touch Series then you can hit us up on

Facebook: The Feminine Touch Series (page)

Twitter: @safemininetouch

Gmail: thefemininetouchseries@gmail.com

Wow! You’re so beautiful and so inspiring. The more I do these interviews the better they become and the more I learn about myself and people. Thank you J