Iqbal Osman, 58, of Clare Estate launched his fashion line at the SMME Fair Fashion show at the Durban Exhibition Centre last week.
The fair hosted exhibitors from China, Africa, France and the United States.
Osman, a father of three who has been involved in the fashion industry for 25 years, designing children's gear for a clothing company before deciding to go solo three years ago.
He said the fashion show was a great experience, as he got a chance to work with talented young designers and was flattered when they asked him for help with their garments.
He said he had always been passionate about clothing design, even though it was frowned upon while he was growing up.
"I always wanted to be a designer, even though in those days it was considered a job only women did."
Osman, who was born and raised in Portugal, came to South Africa with his SA-born dad and mother when he was 25.
"When we came to South Africa, I was not allowed to study fashion at any college.
"Everything that I know I learned on my own. Eventually my parents accepted it."
He worked for various clothing factories and got his break when he was asked to design a range for a chain store.
When he visited overseas countries, including France, he attended fashion shows to see what they were like and find out what designers were creating.
Osman now has clients all over the world, including Britain, the United States and Australia.
His work is characterised by detailed beadwork comprising swarovski crystals that are sewn on by hand.
He said that each of his garments were of a different style, based on his client's character.
He said many people were under the impression that one had to be young to make it in the fashion design world.
"I don't feel that way. I know that when people look for jobs, companies look at your age and say you are too old. But I feel that you should count his experience, not how young he is. So it's not a question of age."
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