Celebrating love, art, collaboration, women and fashion with Fuata Moyo.
Between 10and5 caught up with Lusee Mbiola of the family-run label, Fuata Moyo, to talk about their recent collaboration with Vault on Bree and first ever street fashion show on Bree Street.
Lusee Mbiola is one of four siblings behind Fuata Moyo, a Cape Town-based fashion and art label known for hand-painted, upcycled garments rooted in family legacy. She recently stepped forward with her latest collection, staging an open-air runway in the middle of Bree Street.
The showcase turned a busy city block into a working runway, placing fashion directly into the rhythm of the city. The outdoor format mirrors a wider shift seen in cities like Paris and London, where designers are increasingly using public space to present their work.
Fuata Moyo is a Swahili phrase meaning “to follow your heART”. That idea shaped the collection, which draws on women’s emotional and political experiences.
Known for painting and customising textiles, the brand continues to carve out its space in South Africa’s fashion landscape through sculptural tailoring and a contemporary African design vocabulary.
We caught up with the designer, Lusee Mbiola, behind the latest Fuata Moyo collection, Her heARTbeat, to reflect on the show and what comes next.
Looking back, why was it important for the collection to live in the city, and what did Bree Street add to the story you were telling with Fuata Moyo at Vault On Bree?
At Fuata Moyo, we really value collaboration; it’s a significant part of our brand ethos. We are a family-oriented, collaborative brand that believes in collaboration. It takes a man and a woman coming together in collaboration before we can be blessed with new life in the world. To create anything impactful and valuable, collaboration is necessary; no one ever builds anything great alone.
At Fuata Moyo, we value everyone’s efforts and appreciate the amazing work we do. We also feel that Cape Town deserves more collaboration between brands and creatives. This fashion show was a great representation of the future we are trying to pioneer, and Vault on Bree was the perfect team to partner with, adding value to what the Young Urbanists are already doing on Bree Street. It felt like a perfect marriage for greatness.
We wanted to tell a story of women’s greatness in our lives from the Fuata Moyo perspective.
The collection speaks to the emotional and political experiences of women. What shaped Her heARTbeat, and how did those ideas show up in the silhouettes and materials?
Her heARTbeat is a fashion collection designed by Fuata Moyo Ladies, inspired by an exhibition we held a few months ago during Design Week, “Follow Her heARTbeat”, to empower women artists. The concept is motivated by the underrepresentation of African women creatives. Fuata Moyo also wanted to express the feminine side of our brand. We come from a family raised by a strong single mother after losing our late father. We had the privilege of witnessing a strong woman step up and become a sort of superwoman in our lives. Our mom is our biggest inspiration, and this collection is rooted in honouring her and all the amazing women doing incredible things, like raising the future generation.
Since the collection was powered by Vault on Bree, which is dedicated to uplifting local creatives and brands, helping local voices stand out rather than get lost in the industry’s noise, it also explores movement, resistance, softness, and strength through form, material, and silhouette. Drawing from African cultural references and contemporary urban life,
In essence, Her heARTbeat reflects on how women navigate visibility, labour, care, and self-expression within the city.
In a busy fashion landscape, what do you think really sets your work apart?
Embracing our differences sets us apart. We are all designed to stand out – every single one of us on this planet. Yet, we live in a world shaped by a culture of conformity, where people love uniformity. At Fuata Moyo, we love going against the grain and embracing the unique qualities each member brings to the table. We design from the heART, not necessarily following trends, in the way we showcase and move.
The fact that we are all siblings is also rare to see in the fashion industry. As a family-owned brand, we utilise art and fashion to paint our textiles, which further sets us apart. We have many points of difference, but it’s our story that stands out above all. Ultimately, we run a brand centred on love and art.
What’s next for Fuata Moyo, and how do you think about growing the brand without losing intention?
When you are rooted and led by your intention, it’s easy to stay true to your vision. Before Fuata Moyo even existed, our vision was to establish an African Art Festival. We wanted to call it the “Follow the HeART Festival”, which is what Fuata Moyo means. This has always been part of our plan, and that’s what’s next, along with a few cool things in between. The Follow the HeART Festival in 2027 is what we are manifesting, following the heart with Fuata Moyo.
* Read more stories on VAULT ON BREE.
