A Slow Bloom in Bubblegum Pink: Visiting Sindiso Khumalo’s First Store

Inside, a bouquet of wildflowers — not arranged for perfection but for honesty. And then, the clothes: delicate, meaningful, full of thought. She told me, “I make some of the slowest fashion around.” And I believed her.

Sindiso and her mother outside her shop.

I first met Sindiso Khumalo in 2019 when we were both commissioned to design looks for the Vodacom Durban July. We found ourselves chatting fashion and industry on a flight from Joburg to Durban, bonded by a shared love for design. After our fashion shows, we danced the night away — Sindiso, a Durban native, surrounded by family. Her mom danced longer than anyone else on that floor, pulling out moves that even my younger self couldn’t match. It was joy, fashion, and legacy wrapped into one moment.

Fast forward to late March 2025. I was in Cape Town for a Volvo influencer trip, and Sindiso was there too. She mentioned she’d be opening her very first flagship store the next morning — a major moment for any designer. I didn’t hesitate: “Sign me up — I’m coming to see, sis!”

Two days later, I pulled up near Longkloof, looking for her store. Just as I started walking down the street, I saw a woman in a bubblegum pink dress bouncing toward me. It was Sindiso. We laughed out loud at the coincidence. She was on her way to Pick n Pay for Vim to clean the carpet — post-launch reality — and yet, she radiated calm. That quiet elegance she’s known for.

We spoke about what this new brick-and-mortar space means for her. It’s her first physical store — a new chapter after years of global recognition. Sindiso’s pieces have graced international platforms like Net-a-Porter and she was a finalist for the LVMH Prize in 2020. But a store? A store is personal. A store is soul.

As a fellow designer who has had retail spaces since 2016, I understood both the excitement and the challenge. There’s nothing quite like watching someone walk into your world — try your clothes on, feel the fabric, connect with the story.

Her store, nestled in the heart of Longkloof, feels like walking into a soft poem. A small bench outside. Her signature flowers painted on the windows. Inside, a bouquet of wildflowers — not arranged for perfection but for honesty. And then, the clothes: delicate, meaningful, full of thought. She told me, “I make some of the slowest fashion around.” And I believed her.

Sindiso designs her own prints and works sustainably — not as a trend, but as a way of life. Her work feels intentional. Each piece tells a story. Each thread feels like it’s holding history.

While I browsed, her mother was there. A little while later, her brother and sister-in-law joined. The room held more than fashion. It held family. Heritage. Continuity.

In an industry that often demands speed, Sindiso reminds us what it means to move with care — to bloom slowly and boldly, in bubblegum pink.

Visit Sindiso’s flagship store

Longkloof Studios, Cape Town

Follow her journey on Instagram: @sindisokhumalo

Explore her work: www.sindisokhumalo.com

Visit Sindiso’s flagship store in Longkloof Studios, Cape Town, to experience her full artistic expression — from hand-drawn prints to her signature slow fashion pieces. It’s more than a store; it’s a gentle reminder of how powerful it is when African women create on their own terms.

Rina and Sindiso walking in Longkloof