IN STUDIO WITH ZYDIA BOTES

For the powerhouse behind SOMETHING GOOD STUDIO and ROMARIA KNITWEAR, it's all about collaborative design, making connections and a calm, happy workspace.

- JO BUITENDACH

I LAUNCHED MY FIRST BABY, Something Good, in 2018," Zydia Botes explains from her peaceful studio space in Ferndale, Johannesburg. Her label was born from a need to slow down and make something meaningful; today, the collaborative brand works with artists and designers to create eyecatching blankets and textile pieces. Not one to rest on her laurels, Zydia is also co-founder of luxury knitwear label Romaria, which creates timeless, non-seasonal clothing.

* HOW THE BRANDS WERE BORN "I studied the business side of fashion with the goal of becoming a buyer. Instead, I ended up working on the supply side of the industry for 10 years. I was overworked and travelling constantly, always pressured by delivery dates. I needed a change. I wanted to look into how design could have a positive impact on my life, and the life of every person connected to the project. This meant challenging mass production and focusing on quality and the making process.

"I discovered some really cool artists and illustrators on Instagram and had the idea to translate their art into blankets. I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and I'd said that before the age of 30 I would like to have my own business. I put a proposal together and I sent it out to a few of my favourite designers and artists, with the idea that it would be a once-off project. It was a shot in the dark, yet their feedback was so encouraging; they loved the concept of having their artworks transformed into blankets.

"From there, we put together an exhibition with six artist-designed blankets, all created by women. Then the Sunday Times featured us, and I started receiving orders. I decided to pursue Something Good, and resigned from my job within a month.