Cassandra Black flies to new heights
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Monday September 22, 2025 06:00
As a self-taught designer, Cassandra’s journey is an inspiration to many. With her determination and creativity, she is now expanding her business and exploring new avenues in the fashion design industry. In an interview with Arts&Culture, Kavezedi explained that the name ‘Cassandra Black’ was inspired by her favorite colour, black. To her, black is beautiful, bold, and blends well with everything, hence, Cassandra Black. “I wanted a name that is simple but holds a deep, beautiful meaning behind it.” She explained that when she started making clothes, “I mainly make streetwear clothing, more especially windbreakers. Then, as time went on, I began exploring my talent, as fashion design is a broad field. I had no choice but to go all out and explore my craft of making clothes. I then began upcycling dead denim/jeans by bringing them back into life, but with different, unique styles and designs. I also started making traditional leteisi clothing”.
Furthermore, Kavezedi pointed out that having different designs from the ones she planned to focus on or work on initially was a great milestone for her. She stated that she was eager to know what she could make as a creative designer. Since fashion design is broad, she said she was more focused on designing unique clothes that were suitable for everyone. Moreover, she said her late great-grandmother was a seamstress who made beautiful Herero traditional dresses, so every time she made them, she would watch how she constructed them from cutting, sewing, and pressing. From there, she explained that was when she proposed that one day she would be a creative force in the fashion design industry. “In 2018, I decided to start making clothes, but I had no sewing machine. I was using one woman’s sewing station to make clothes, though it had challenges, but I did pursue my dream. I chose to make clothes because, personally, I love clothes and the satisfaction I find in knowing that I am fashionably creative. Remember, not everyone will understand what you do, and not everyone will like what you do, which is ok. All I can say is my target audience loves what I do, and some wish to collaborate with me,” she said.
Furthermore, she explained that while it was her first time designing a cap, she surprised herself by nailing the recreation for a local socialite, Freddie Pro. Speaking of challenges she faced as a fashion designer, Kavezedi said, instead of support, some people wanted freebies, even when they recognised that she was good at what she did. However, working with the people that she targeted, such as King 'Empire Modeling Agency Ceo', HanC, Kissed By The Gods, and Freddie Pro, were her greatest achievements. Her aspiration in the coming years is to be a world-renowned fashion designer. Apart from making clothes, Kavezedi revealed that she is also a stylist, an added advantage in the industry. Her advice to aspiring fashion designers is to invest in their craft, believe in themselves, and never give up on their dreams. “It takes time for one to be understood when achieving their dreams, so during the process of pursuing your dreams, do not be discouraged by what people are going to say about you. Believe in yourself, always, and love what you do,” she ended.