Following a successful career in clothing design and retail, Michelle Rumbelow is finally fulfilling a childhood ambition, to launch a ladies clothing brand of her own. Today, Liviya brings beautifully designed and manufactured leisurewear, lingerie and sleepwear, created for the busy woman who wants to feel and look good, 24/7.
LoA spoke to designing founder Michelle Rumbelow this month to find out more.
What does your company do?
Liviya is a ladies clothing brand that blurs the lines between underwear, sleepwear and leisurewear, and is as versatile and adaptable as women are today.
"The brand name, Liviya (meaning “Lioness”), is symbolic of how women should feel when wearing the clothing."
What inspired you to start your company?
As an entrepreneurial mother of three, I want to wear clothing that is comfortable, stylish and functional. I want to get dressed in the morning in clothing that will take me from home to school runs and meetings, looking and feeling my best. The brand name, Liviya (meaning “Lioness”), is symbolic of how women should feel when wearing the clothing. A lioness is African - strong, powerful and beautiful. She is also a loving mother and provider.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Learning to love ourselves is one of the greatest challenges for women of our time. My desire is to help women achieve this by wearing clothing that is flattering and comfortable, sexy AND functional. The clothing is designed and manufactured in Cape Town and is of the highest quality.
"Liviya clothing is designed and manufactured in Cape Town and is of the highest quality."
Tell us a little about your team
Liviya has been created by Clothing Designer, Michelle Rumbelow. Michelle taught herself to sew and design from the age of 6. She made dance dresses while in school and went on to study Clothing Design and Technology at Nelson Mandela University. She started her career in sport retail and managed a branch of Sport Scene at the age of 21. Michelle loved designing sports clothing and soon became employed as a sportswear designer - counting designing for the Asics brand as the highlight of her career. Michelle moved to London where she gained valuable administration and management experience, returning to South Africa to manage a sportswear manufacturing business. In 2017, she created Rumbles Sportswear, which runs alongside Liviya, catering for children and adults sports clothing.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
Liviya was launched in April 2018, although the desire to create this brand has been a dream since childhood. I had dipped my toe in the entrepreneurial waters, but in April 2017, I took the first big step to starting my entrepreneurial journey by starting Rumbles Sportswear and manufactured sports clothing for a few schools. I also started teaching sewing lessons and realized that there is an opportunity to empower women in doing so.
"I want to Liviya to become a global brand, creating jobs for South Africans and growing the clothing business in the country."
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I want to Liviya to become a global brand, creating jobs for South Africans and growing the clothing business in the country. My desire is to empower mothers to work from home, sewing for Liviya and Rumbles Sportswear.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
I get to inspire my husband and children to achieve their dreams!
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Work from your heart - If you believe in your business, others will too!
Contact or follow Liviya
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL liviyalioness@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
It’s always wonderful to see women fulfilling their entrepreneurial dreams, and in the case of Michelle Rumbelow, she is doing just that with the launch of her new leisurewear, lingerie and sleepwear brand, Liviya. She is a great example of how to take a lifetime of experience and specialist expertise in a particular field and then use that as the basis for a successful independent business. This is definitely a women’s clothing brand to watch over the coming months and years. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa