Mr and Ms by designer Catherine Nebe specialize in well-made and well-fitted apparel with a touch of vintage individuality to compliment classic style and individual expression.

1.What is your background and how did your label Mr and Ms come about?

Mr and Ms is the result of a life-long aspiration. I was born and raised in Cape Town and began my formal training with a qualification in Fashion Design and Pattern Making. I travelled in Europe gathering inspiration. This combined with over five years of practical production experience, at some of the fashion industry’s leading design labels has culminated in Mr and Ms, the realisation of a dream.

2. What is important to you when designing clothes?

Making sure that every style that is designed compliments every shape and size (I do sizes from a 31- 42). Attention to detail is very important, giving basic items a unique twist.

3. Personally I love your style! It’s nostalgic, feminine, but still modern and a little bit edgy. How would you describe Mr. and Ms.?

I could not have said it better myself and I am so thrilled that this is the exact thing I would like the Mr and Ms customer to feel and think of my clothing – Thank you.

4. How do you stay original in a world of pinterest and up-to-the-minute trend reporting? Does it not sometimes feel like everything has been done before?

Yes sure there is always a feeling “ haven’t I seen this somewhere before “ but I think its not predominantly about chasing current trends, but rather about taking inspiration from beautifully designed clothing from the past and applying that inspiration to today’s context.

5. Where can your clothing range be bought?

I supply really lovely boutiques throughout Western Cape that I am very proud to be associated with, like: Coco Li, Smitten, Nap Lifestyle to name just a few …

6. Where is your studio and what are the challenges behind running your own fashion label?

Our Studio is in 201 Cnr Bree and Buiten Street, Cape Town. (Finally)

There are many challenges behind running your own business; I wouldn’t even know where to begin.
To plan and plan and when you think you have planned enough something unexpectedly comes up and changes everything. It’s really more about how you deal with the unexpected and unplanned things that will make you succeed.

7. What’s your favourite part of your job?

I love taking a simple idea and bringing it to life and my most favourite part is when somebody tries on an item that they like and seeing their expression on their faces as if they are really seeing themselves for the 1st time.

8. What inspires you creatively? Please provide links/pics!

Old Fashioned elegance and those gorgeous silhouettes form the 20’s, 40’s and 50’s; amazing prints that make you want to design beautiful things; nature, and my Basset Hound ‘Lulu” who can put a smile on my face at any moment.

9. What other South African designers (in any medium) inspire you?

 Suzaan Heyns who has this incredible eye for uniqueness and I admire her guts to express herself .

I love everything about Mr and Ms, and dream of a day when there will be a line of designers with beautifull, locally designed and made clothing like Mr and Ms at the Treasury Market!