Bonny M | July 7, 2026
Long before Designedbybarbz became a fashion brand recognised for timeless elegance and thoughtful craftsmanship, creativity had already found its place in founder Tselane Linakane’s life. It lived in the dresses her mother lovingly made for her and her sisters, in the architectural drawings carefully drafted by her father, and in the school holiday sewing classes that quietly nurtured a creative curiosity she would carry into adulthood. While fashion would eventually become her profession, its foundations were laid much earlier through family, imagination, and an appreciation for creating something meaningful with her hands.
As she grew older, that passion never faded. While studying at university, Tselane began designing and handcrafting jewellery, selling each piece to friends who quickly embraced her creativity. Even after graduating and pursuing careers in the water treatment industry and later academia, fashion remained a constant presence. Jewellery continued to be her creative outlet outside of working hours, but over time she realised her imagination had outgrown the boundaries of accessories alone. She wanted to create complete expressions of style, pieces that told a story beyond what jewellery could offer.
That desire led her into fashion. During weekends, she spent countless hours at a close friend’s fashion studio, fascinated by the process of transforming ideas into garments. She would sketch concepts while her friend brought them to life through dressmaking. Before long, colleagues and friends began asking where her clothing came from, and custom orders soon followed. What started as a personal creative exploration gradually evolved into something far greater, giving birth first to Barbz Collection and eventually, in 2018, to Designedbybarbz.
Leaving behind the security of academia to pursue entrepreneurship was a defining moment, but for Tselane it never felt like abandoning one career for another. Instead, it was choosing the path that had always been waiting for her. Designedbybarbz was founded with a clear purpose: to help women express their individuality through clothing while encouraging positive self-image and confidence. Fashion, in her eyes, has never been about simply dressing the body. It is about transforming how women see themselves from the inside out.
Although her professional background may seem worlds apart from fashion, Tselane believes her years in microbiology and academia continue to shape the way she leads her business today. The precision, discipline, and attention to detail demanded by science naturally translate into garment construction, while the leadership and organisational skills developed through academia have helped her build a collaborative, creative business grounded in excellence. Every garment reflects that balance between artistic freedom and technical precision.
Designedbybarbz has since established an identity built around what Tselane describes as “Everyday Effortless Elegance.” Rather than reserving beautiful clothing for milestone occasions, the brand creates garments designed to become part of everyday life. The Designedbybarbz woman values authenticity, versatility, and quality. She understands that style is not something performed only during celebrations but something expressed in the ordinary moments that define who she is.
That philosophy extends far beyond the garments themselves. Every client experience begins with understanding the woman behind the clothing. From the initial consultation to the final fitting, careful attention is given to each client’s personality, lifestyle, and body shape. The goal is never simply to produce a beautiful garment, but to create something that feels authentically hers. By the time the process is complete, clients leave not only with clothing tailored to perfection but with renewed confidence in themselves.
The brand’s offering reflects that same commitment to individuality. Custom-made garments are created for clients seeking designs that are uniquely their own, carefully tailored to complement both body and personality. Alongside these bespoke creations, Designedbybarbz offers ready-to-wear collections that transition effortlessly from daily life to special occasions without sacrificing comfort or sophistication. The brand’s alteration service further reinforces its belief that every woman deserves clothing that fits beautifully, whether purchased from Designedbybarbz or already hanging in her wardrobe. Through thoughtful refinements and expert craftsmanship, treasured garments are given new life and renewed purpose.
Rather than chasing seasonal trends, Designedbybarbz has become recognised for clean silhouettes, exceptional tailoring, and timeless versatility. Each design is intentionally created to move effortlessly between different occasions, allowing women to dress pieces up or down while maintaining an understated sense of elegance. It is this balance between simplicity and refinement that has become the brand’s unmistakable signature.
Behind every collection lies a carefully considered creative process. Each design begins by identifying its purpose, whether inspired by a client’s story or a broader collection concept. Fabrics, colours, and silhouettes are selected with intention before patterns are drafted, samples are constructed, and multiple fittings refine every detail. Nothing is rushed. Every stage reflects the brand’s belief that thoughtful craftsmanship remains one of fashion’s greatest luxuries.
Much of Tselane’s inspiration comes directly from the women she designs for. Their aspirations, lifestyles, personalities, and everyday experiences continually influence her collections. Inspiration also reveals itself through ordinary moments, from unexpected colour palettes found in nature to architectural lines and interesting textures encountered throughout daily life. Rather than designing for fleeting trends, she designs for real women living real lives.
Fashion, she believes, is deeply personal. Every bespoke commission begins with listening carefully before putting pencil to paper. Understanding how a client wishes to feel becomes just as important as understanding what she wants to wear. Those individual stories are then interpreted through the Designedbybarbz aesthetic, creating garments that celebrate personal identity while remaining rooted in timeless elegance. This thoughtful balance ensures every piece feels both deeply personal and unmistakably Designedbybarbz.
Building the brand has also meant building a team united by shared values. Tselane has cultivated an environment where designers and seamstresses work collaboratively, openly sharing ideas while maintaining the brand’s commitment to quality. Every member understands that exceptional craftsmanship is achieved not only through technical skill but through communication, trust, and collective creativity.
Some of the brand’s most meaningful milestones have not been measured through collections alone but through lasting relationships with clients. Watching women return repeatedly, trusting Designedbybarbz with life’s biggest celebrations while also making the brand part of their everyday wardrobe, has become one of Tselane’s greatest rewards. It confirms that confidence and authenticity never go out of style.
Looking ahead, Designedbybarbz is preparing for an exciting new chapter. Plans are already underway to introduce a dedicated menswear collection, develop exclusive signature fabrics and prints, and expand into carefully curated accessories that complete the Designedbybarbz lifestyle. Yet the long-term vision reaches even further. Tselane dreams of creating the Walk In Fashion House, a destination where bespoke tailoring, ready-to-wear fashion, accessories, personalised styling, beauty, wellness, and lifestyle experiences exist under one roof. More than simply a retail space, it will become a community built around intentional living, creativity, and confidence.
Perhaps that is what makes Designedbybarbz so distinctive. It is not simply a fashion label creating beautiful garments, but a brand encouraging women to embrace elegance as part of everyday life. Through timeless design, meaningful craftsmanship, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of confidence, Tselane Linakane continues to prove that fashion is at its most powerful when it allows women to become the very best version of themselves.