Vibrant, eye-catching, custom-designed African-themed garments

Marion M was started in 2004 by its owner, Marion Magau, through sheer determination and hard work.

It all started when Marion's father persuaded her to attend a sewing course in Khayelitsha. This turned out to be a skills development program, which enabled and equipped her with sewing and basic business skills. This set the scene for her to start her home-based business in Rocklands, Mitchells Plain.

She talked her husband Oscar into providing her with an initial capital injection, from funds originally designated for kitchen cupboards for their home.  Marion promised Oscar that if he would just trust her, she would soon be able to pay for thousands of kitchens.  She used the money to convert a room in her home and buy some equipment.  It was essential for her to work from home, as she is the mother of 5 very young children.  The business expanded quickly - she has installed and paid for her kitchen cupboards, and is now investigating the possibility of making further improvements to her house.

Marion is also ploughing money back into her growing business. She has purchased more industrial sewing machines and equipment, and uses qualified machinists and seamstresses to do some sewing and the finishing of the garments. This allows her to ensure the highest possible quality of workmanship for her clients, as well as providing employment for a few women in her area.  At any given time of the day the workshop is a hive of activity with machinists toiling to complete an urgent order. 

Marion's model is to design the clothes herself, and to cut and sew them in the beginning stages.  She has the unique skill of being able to create a garment to suit a client's figure and for the occasion.  She believes that she should give every client something different, so each item is custom designed.