Fashion, for Vuyolwethu Dlamini, has never been a phase, it’s always been instinct. Born and raised in Mbabane Zone 3, Vuyolwethu’s love for clothing and self-expression was nurtured long before it became her full-time career.
Growing up in a home surrounded by fashionable women, creativity was part of her daily life. As a child, she made clothes for her dolls out of plastic and spent hours playing dress-up in family closets, unknowingly laying the foundation for her brand, The House of Yours Truly.
“I don’t remember the exact moment I decided to actually do it but I’ve just always loved fashion,” she said
Although she studied Consumer Science Education at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA), Luyengo Campus, she’s quick to clarify that her academic background hasn’t shaped the way she thinks about clothes.
“No, it doesn’t affect the way I think about clothes at all,” she shared. Fashion, for her, has always been intuitive, something felt rather than learned. There wasn’t a defining moment when she chose this path; it was simply always there, waiting to be stitched into reality.
A Foundation of Support
Behind every stitch at The House of Yours Truly is a strong support system. Vuyolwethu credits her family and friends as her biggest cheerleaders. “They believed in me in the beginning, and they still believe in me,” she shared. “They really keep me going.” Their unwavering encouragement has played a key role in her confidence and consistency as she navigates the industry.
While many people romanticise creative careers, Vuyolwethu keeps it real. Fashion is work,hard work. “I don’t think of it as fun, it is work,” she admitted. “It feels like work all the time unless I’m creating something for myself.” Still, loving what she does makes the long hours worthwhile, and today, fashion is her full-time calling.
Sanctuary in the Stitch
Her sewing machine also doubles as her sanctuary. On difficult days or when her mind feels overwhelmed, sitting in front of it brings calm. “Once I start putting pattern pieces together, I automatically can’t focus on anything else,” she explains. “I use it to escape reality at times.” This focus is what allows The House of Yours Truly to produce such intentional, visionary pieces.
When asked about her favorite design, Vuyolwethu describes herself as futuristic, firmly believing that her best work is yet to come. However, four garments hold a special place in her heart: two MTN Bushfire looks, a Standard Bank Luju Festival outfit, and a Spring Fiesta fit, all created last year. These pieces marked her first time attending international music festivals, where she fully expressed herself through fashion. One comment from Spring Fiesta remains unforgettable, “Someone said to me, ‘you understand what a music festival is,’ and that made me so happy,” she recalls. “It meant people really understood my vision.”
The Future of the House
Looking ahead, Vuyolwethu dreams big. She envisions building an established fashion house with a full staff. “That’s what I’m working towards,” she said. As a designer at heart, she is constantly dreaming up projects and imagining specific people she hopes to dress one day under the House of Yours Truly label.
As for store-bought clothes, she laughs. In five years, she estimates they’ll make up only 3–5% of her wardrobe. And if she ever explored another creative outlet? Pottery would be her choice. “It looks very calming and cool,” she shared, a sentiment that fits perfectly for a woman who has spent her life turning raw materials into dreams.
