Multi-disciplinary brand Fuata Moyo is fusing art, fashion and family into a vibrant expression of African heritage and creative ingenuity.
In the heart of Cape Town, a creative force is stirring. The shakers and stirrers? The Mbiola siblings: fashion designer and artist Kabambi, graphic designer and photographer Martine, as well as Lusee and Tshimaro – both fashion designers, creative directors and stylists in their own right. Under the banner of Fuata Moyo, these siblings consistently create wearable art that is as much a statement as it is a piece of clothing. From custom garments to bespoke tailoring, each piece is infused with the family’s rich heritage and the individual talents of its creators.
With a shared love for art and a desire to honour their late father’s legacy, the Mbiola siblings have crafted a brand that is as captivating as it is meaningful. To fully appreciate the fruit that is Fuata Moyo, it’s best to examine the origin of its roots.
In the genes
Born in the city of Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the turbulence and warfare during the late 90s left the Mbiolas’ no choice but to move to Cape Town as a matter of urgency. Their father, Frederic Mbiola, was a fine artist and had a store in what is now called the Watershed, where he would sell his art. After his sudden passing due to a car accident, his wife Antoinette Kapinga encouraged her children to dabble in art and take over the store. “I always joke that we didn’t choose art, art chose us. As a family, we started collaborating at a very young age after losing our father, who was the breadwinner of the family,” reveals Kabambi (also known as KB). This profound loss left their young mother alone in raising seven children. “We had no other option but to rely on our creativity to survive,” adds Tshimaro. “What we didn’t realise back then was that we had inherited his skill, which now resides in our hands, along with a similarly creative mind. He also instilled in all of us a belief that we could change the world and a determination to utilise every tool at our disposal to do so.”
Through the gifts of their father’s art store as well as the guidance of their mother, the siblings tapped into their inherited creativity. “Our mom made sure we never felt the void of not having a dad by playing both roles to seven kids. She instilled a culture of work ethic in us, making sure that we remained united as a family so we always figured things out together.”
Fast forward to the global pandemic and the uncertainty left in its wake, the siblings would lean on this belief once again. “During the COVID -19 pandemic, after losing my job in the fashion industry, I was crazy enough to pitch the idea of starting a clothing brand to my siblings, even though fashion was the last thing on people’s minds at the time,” says KB of the brand’s inception. With a leap of faith and a shared vision, the siblings combined their skills to launch Fuata Moyo, embracing the challenges of a rapidly changing industry.
“The motivation was to reclaim our own power to decide our fate and become self-sustainable, as well as to create a brand that could represent the concept of African family talents, love, and collaboration through designs and storytelling.”
Characterised by a distinctly bold use of colour and hand-painted elements, each piece of clothing commands attention with versatility in mind. Their homeware and interior decor pieces, all crafted at the House of Moyo in central Cape Town, follow suit as artworks that are striking in nature and invite conversation.
“The positive aspect of working with siblings is collaborating as a team towards a common goal and having individuals who are willing to go to great lengths to ensure your success,” says Lusee. “It has been a blessing that all of us share a deep passion for art and fashion. Family members as business partners are a divine arrangement and we have made the most of this opportunity.”
Art in motion
‘Fuata Moyo’ is a Swahili phrase meaning ‘follow the heart’, which inspired their slogan ‘Follow the heART’. “The footprints in our logo represent not only our journey and how love has guided us to this point, but also the marks we leave on the Earth – a literal road map for those who follow in our footsteps,” says Tshimaro.
With this ethos serving as their North Star, the brand has shifted and morphed into more than just wearable art but a lifestyle movement. Whether it’s internally as siblings or within their community, collaboration forms the heart of their offering. Aside from their brand and private customisations, the siblings have diverse collaborations under their belt, such as Heineken, Fabiani and most recently Velo. Their garments are also showcased at retail incubator We Are Egg.
“We live in a world that loves boxes, but you can’t box creativity and love,” says KB.
“Our creative process is driven by storytelling,” explains KB. “We first identify the story we want to tell with our collaboration, then let that guide the creative process. With the latest Velo collab, for example, the concept was a journey into weirdly wonderful. People tend to see us collaborating as a family as ‘weird’ but to us – it’s weirdly wonderful. We treat our fashion as art, straight from the heart, and hope that one day our approach becomes the trend.”
But the stories they’re sharing through Fuata Moyo aren’t limited to garments and decor. “We also establish platforms and organise events that serve as a testament to the beauty of African artistry”, adds Martine. “With each piece we create and every event we host, our goal is to celebrate the essence of African design and inspire a deeper appreciation for its cultural significance.”
Aside from hosting their ‘he(ART) in Session’ sip-and-paint events that teach art-making techniques, the siblings have also curated a three-day film event this month named iAfrica Film Festival. The festival is the local variant of an annual event held in Netherlands and will be held in South Africa for the first time. Fuata Moyo launched a concept store at the V&A’s Watershed earlier this month. In an apartment- style setting, the brand showcases their offering, highlighting their fusion of art, fashion and decor. “We live in a world that loves boxes, but you can’t box creativity and love,” says KB. “You should always expect us to work across different mediums, but we will always let our love and creativity lead us through this journey of following our hearts.”
Follow the he(art)
Since its inception, each step in Fuata Moyo’s journey has been intentional – rooted in
the wisdom of past trials and inspired by the flux of their collective creativity. “Creativity is nothing without our work ethic, which we got from our mother,” says KB, “as well as the creative talents we inherited from our dad.”
As the brand continues to evolve, its legacy of creative innovation through clothing, decor and experiences alike will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the African fashion landscape and beyond. “We treat our brand like art pieces. An artist paints what they feel and love – it’s a way of expressing themselves,” says KB. “We do the same with our brand – we create what we love and hope to find people who will feel the same. So far, so good.”
Words by: Geraldine Amoko
Photographed by: Mishaal Gangaram
Styled by: Katlego Gordana
