Rina Chunga is the latest local designer creating waves with clothing made using African print. Her brand, Rich Factory, named by her father, references affluence and upward mobility.Chunga was born in Limpopo to Zambian parents. She was only 17 when she became interested in fashion, but says her mother always noticed that she frequently changed her clothes.Now, at 27, she's proud to have her designs worn by local celebrities such as Nomuzi Mabena, Bonnie Mbuli and Jay Anstey.Chunga is dressed for our interview in an olive green jacket over a denim dress and has her faux dreads tied up in a bun.For a change, she's not wearing her trademark prints.STAR POWER: TV personality Nomuzi Mabena adds pizzazz to her style in Rich Factory designs"I have my days off it," she laughs.In the past few years, African prints have become trendy around the world.Luxury shoe designer Christian Louboutin is the latest fashion superstar to have boarded the African print fashion wagon.His bag collection, called Africaba, is made from a mix of different African fabrics embroidered in Senegal.But closer to home, and without the obvious cultural appropriation, Chunga imports most of her fabrics from Botswana and Zambia.Her fabrics are brightly coloured and have loud, tropical shapes.STEPPING OUT: Most of Rina Chunga's fabrics are imported from Botswana and ZambiaChunga's design philosophy is to transform traditional garb that's been worn in African countries for years to edgy, funky urban wear. Her collection includes suits, ball gowns and everyday wear - all inspired by the prints.Actress Nomzamo Mbatha was one of the first celebrities to notice the brand.''I first met Nomzamo when I was styling her for a shoot in December," says Chunga.''Since then she's asked me to make some outfits for her inspired by my prints."HAVING A BALL: Traditional fabrics are beautifully transformed into evening wearOutfits worn by Mbatha include a Rich Factory boob tube dress at the Queen's Plate horse races in January this year , and a yellow and red African drum pattern to an event at the Cannes Film Festival.Happy to have local fans, the designer says she'd also love to dress some international stars. ''It would be great to have Wizkid, Solange Knowles and Tracee Ellis Ross wear my designs," she says.Chunga has had pop-up shops in all the major South African cities, but hopes to soon have her own retail store.See richbyrina.blogspot.co.za..