Heartfelt Tributes Pour In for the Late Sun Goddess Co-Founder Vanya Mangaliso
Heartfelt Tributes Pour In for Sun Goddess Co-Founder Vanya Mangaliso. The local fashion industry has been dealt a hard blow. The industry has lost one of its own talented fashion pioneers, Vanya Mangaliso. She lost her battle with cancer and passed away on Wednesday 26th June aged 53 years.
The distinguished fashion designer and entrepreneur, is renowned for co-founding Sun Goddess. The luxury fashion brand celebrates African heritage and aesthetics. Born and raised in the Eastern Cape, Vanya was deeply influenced by her family’s rich cultural traditions and her mother’s penchant for wearing traditional attire.
Before this, Vanya worked in logistics for Transnet, which involved extensive travel across Africa. This exposed her to the diverse ways in which fashion reflects cultural identity, particularly in countries like Nigeria, where traditional wear is prevalent. By thus, she was inspired to pursue a career in fashion design.
In 2001, alongside her husband Thando Mangaliso, Vanya established Sun Goddess. Their mission was to preserve African culture and promote its aesthetics globally. The brand has achieved significant milestones, including multiple awards and international recognition. In 2006, they were honored with the South African Designer/Retailer of the Year award. In 2012, a Sun Goddess dress was featured in “The Pantone Color of the Century” book.
Despite facing challenges such as natural disasters and armed robberies, their resilience and dedication solidified Sun Goddess‘s status as a prominent African luxury brand. Their journey from selling skirts from the trunk of their car to showcasing designs on international runways is a testament to their commitment and passion for fashion.
After Thando announced her passing, immediately tributes poured in. The likes of Precious Motsepe, Fikile Mbalula, Penny Lebyane, and Thembisa Nxumalo, remembered the force that Vanya was.
