Sun Goddess’ Vanya Mangaliso: 10 things to know about South Africa’s fashion legend

On June 27, 2025, South Africa lost one of its most iconic fashion visionaries—Vanya “Vanga” Mangaliso, co-founder of the luxury label Sun Goddess.

For over two decades, she used her brand to bridge ancestral heritage with haute couture, inspiring a generation of designers and proudly putting African identity on the global fashion map.

From selling skirts out of a VW Beetle to showcasing collections in London and Stockholm, her journey was as inspiring as her designs. As tributes pour in, here are 10 essential things to know about the woman who turned tradition into trend and culture into couture.

1. Early Life & Cultural Foundations

Born in the Eastern Cape, Vanya Mangaliso grew up surrounded by Xhosa traditions. Influenced by her mother’s love for Umbaco skirts, she developed a deep passion for heritage fashion. Her upbringing in a culturally rich household later became the bedrock of her design philosophy.

2. Corporate to Creative: A Transformative Career Path

Vanya started her career in logistics at Transnet, traveling across Africa. It was during her trips to Nigeria and Congo that she noticed how traditional attire plays a pivotal role in cultural identity—sparking her shift from corporate to couture.

3. From VW Beetle to Boutique: Humble Brand Beginnings

In 2000–2001, Vanya and husband Thando sold their first skirts from the boot of their VW Beetle. What started as a small passion project soon evolved into Sun Goddess, now a renowned luxury label.

4. Sun Goddess Launch & Growth

Formally launched in 2001, Sun Goddess quickly expanded—from one store in Rosebank to physical boutiques in Sandton, Cape Town, and Sun City’s The Palace of the Lost City—marking its shift from street-sold skirts to high-end couture.

5. Award‑Winning Design & Global Recognition

The brand earned the 2006 South African Designer/Retailer of the Year award. Their creations have graced international runways—London, Delhi, Singapore, Stockholm—and have adorned celebrities like Goapele and Gabrielle Union.

6. Brand Identity: “Afro‑Gucci” & Heritage Couture

Dubbed “Afro‑Gucci” by Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Sun Goddess’s aesthetic fuses traditional African motifs with luxury. Vanya’s collections feature Indigenous beadwork, upcycled fabrics, and storytelling designs rooted in cultural identity.

7. Resilience Through Crisis

Vanya faced adversity head‑on: her Rosebank boutique lost R2 million worth of stock in a flood, she survived a home break‑in, and managed franchise closures. Yet she surged forward—famously declaring “If I don’t sell a skirt, I don’t eat.”

8. Innovating in Hospitality & Corporate Wear

In 2022, Sun Goddess partnered with Sun International to design Tswana‑inspired uniforms for staff at The Palace. They expanded into corporate uniforms, boosted downstream supply‑chain jobs, and opened a Sun City boutique.

9. Pioneering Digital Fashion & Metaverse Presence

Vanya embraced digital innovation—leading Sun Goddess into Africarare’s Metaverse “Luxury Fashion District” in 2023, making them pioneers among South African designers in virtual retail.

10. Mentor, Entrepreneur & Advocate

A speaker at industry forums and mentor to emerging creatives, Vanya advocated for combining cultural storytelling with business discipline. She emphasized profit sustainability over expansion—“quality of profit margin is far more important”—and urged designers to preserve authenticity.