Meet South Africa’s Youngest Fashion Prodigy: Enhle Gebashe of Enhle Babes Couture

At just 16, Enhle Gebashe has already made waves in the fashion world as one of South Africa’s youngest designers. Known for her vibrant brand, Enhle Babes Couture, she captures the essence of Africa in bold colors and intricate geometric patterns. Enhle began sewing at the age of seven and was discovered at ten, giving her a six-year head start in the competitive fashion industry.

Growing up, Enhle was drawn to fashion, encouraged by her community to turn her passion into a business. Inspired by renowned South African artist Esther Mahlangu, Enhle began to see her talent not just as a hobby but as a pathway to an entrepreneurial future. This vision led her to create Enhle Babes Couture, a brand with a distinctive style that she describes as “playful, bright, and a celebration of Africa.”

Her creative process is deeply hands-on, starting with fabric sourcing and progressing through design, pattern-cutting, and sewing. Each piece is a product of Enhle’s commitment to craftsmanship and storytelling, as seen in her collection Uhambo Lwamafungwase ("Journey of the Eldest Daughter"). This line draws on her own experiences, paying homage to the strength and stories of firstborn daughters in African families.

For Enhle, sustainability is about creating garments that can be passed down through generations—a nod to the heirloom quality of her pieces. Her use of rich, enduring African prints ensures each garment feels both luxurious and grounded in cultural significance, appealing particularly to international buyers.

“I want my garments to have a timeless quality, to be cherished and passed down due to their value,” she says, framing her approach to fashion as one that respects tradition while pushing boundaries.

As one of the youngest designers on the scene, Enhle has faced unique challenges. Convincing local consumers to invest in a brand led by a teenager required resilience. In response, she expanded her reach overseas, where her designs have been embraced for their exotic prints and craftsmanship. In 2021, she debuted her collection on a professional stage at Durban Fashion Fair, followed by international showcases in New York and Vancouver in 2023. This exposure validated her hard work and marked her as a global contender in fashion design.

Enhle has her sights set on studying fashion in London, where she hopes to collaborate with brands like Maxhosa and Couture.to.the.Max. She dreams of growing Enhle Babes Couture into an international brand by 2025 "Enhle Babes Couture is going international from 2025."

Her advice for aspiring designers? “Stay original and never forget where you came from.” This guiding principle, combined with her creativity and passion, continues to position Enhle Gebashe as one of the most promising young talents in South Africa’s fashion industry.