Seamstress, Tailor, Dressmaker, Entrepreneur, PosiTIVE Force, Cape Town, South Africa

For business inquiries, please contact Yvonne on What’s or text her at: +27 72 965 5873

Determined to succeed, Ms. Yvonne Charles opened a small sewing shop in the Sea Point neighbourhood of Cape Town; ten years later she continues to dress South Africans and tourists alike.

Ms. Yvonne Charles has been a positive force for those lucky enough to enter her orbit; she is helping, cheering, praying for and uplifting others. Ms. Charles provided her son with an opportunity to learn her trade; he loves to stitch, works with the garments and definitely inherited his mother’s passion for the craft. Mesmerizing with that big smile and a positive attitude, Yvonne proudly shares her knowledge with the other hopefuls; she has mentored and helped several women start their own businesses. Additionally Yvonne extends a helping hand to the teenage girls in her home town who may not be able to afford Cape Town prices. Gleeful teens bring pictures of their dream prom or graduation dresses, Auntie Yvonne ensures a magical evening with a frock of a lifetime. The photos of the beaming girls fill Yvonne’s wall, her generosity on full display. Yvonne’s late mother and grandmother surely would be proud.

Loved by everyone who comes into contact with her, Yvonne is a true inspiration of how to keep your eyes on the prize and achieve something in this world.

1. Name.

My name is Yvonne Charles.

2. Where is your hometown?

My hometown is Belhar, a town in the Western Cape, South Africa .

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?

I'm a seamstress, a tailor, a dressmaker. I own and run my own business, a sewing shop called the Magic Needle, in Sea Point, Cape Town.

4. What did you study in school?

In school I loved math, history, accounting. I was best at Afrikaans and English languages. Unfortunately needlework classes was stopped in high school but I did end teaching myself.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the moment for you that changed your life (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?

My journey toward entrepreneurship started from the age of nine or ten. My granny always called us grandkids (there were 22 grandkids in total) to look for lice whenever her scalp itched. She promised 20c as a payment (which was a lot at the time) but I exchanged the payment for an hour with her sewing machine. My plan was to put some sugar on her head which sounded to her like lice between your nails. This was my way of getting access to the instrument of my future livelihood. 

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

My life isn't anything like what I expected or pictured at 20. I never thought it possible that I would be my own boss, let alone employ my son and daughter.

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

Starting my own business was easy but I was scared anyway. My last employer and several clients of his inspired me to start my own business. Mr. Paul Abramowitz financed me. Amateur that I was, I was knocked down by the rent which was 16,000 rand per month. God alone knows how I managed to pay it for 10 months. I worked day and night, slept over at work to complete projects but one thing was sure: I had a lot of clients supporting me who believed me to be good. Then I moved to a more affordable space where I still am and have been for the past 10 years in Sea Point, Cape Town.

8. Advice for other women?

My advice to other women is don't ever give up or look back to where you came from. My late spiritual leader's favourite quote was: “A quitter never wins and a winner never quits”.

9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

Women in this era are strong and unstoppable. I believe in myself, I don’t take no for an answer knowing there is always a second option or a plan b.

10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?

My happy place is my sewing studio, doing what I do best, what I’m most passionate about. No one can ever take that away from me.

11. What extracurricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

Besides sewing, I love interior decorating (my own home). I'm also a hair stylist and a fantastic cook. I cooked my first dish at the age of nine; it was biryani. You had to do it right back then, or else you would get that meal all over you if it wasn't properly cooked (thanks to my late strict mom for the best upbringing). But most of all I love being the best mom to my two kids whom I raised all by myself.

12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?

In the future I'd like to see more of what's already happening: my creations travelling the world. I’ve seen my dresses in Germany, Italy, America, France, Dubai, etc. These people came especially to me from their countries for dressmaking. Phenomenal, since I never set a foot out of my country but my designs have. 

13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

Funny but I have a fear of flying and sailing in the ocean.

14. Anything you'd do differently, if you had another go at life?

I'd like to complete matric (high school equivalent). I had to drop out out of school to look after my siblings.

16. What are you hopeful about?

To always be the best at my game is what I am hopeful about.

17. What are some ingredients to a good life? Has the global pandemic changed your perspective about the world, about your life, your goals and dreams?

Nothing will ever change my hopes and goals: no pandemic or whatever else. I'm an optimist, I stay positive and determined. 

18. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why? What are your superpowers?

I'm a go-getter. I believe a knock down doesn't mean a knock out. My daughter once posted on what’s app: "In my 28 yrs I have never seen my mom cry until an accident where the taxi she was in rolled four times and she hurt her shoulder”. So I’m pretty tough. 

19. What advice would you give your 14-year-old self?

I'd tell my 14-year-old self: "Don't stop listening to that small voice of inspiration in your head saying YOU CAN DO THIS, YVONNE”.

20. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)

I love books about history. Also enjoy books about fashion and anything that shows dress code of the 15th and 16th century. I also like romantic novels .

21. Who is a WOW WOMAN in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, about why you admire them?

A WOW Woman in my life is my late Bishop’s wife. She faced a lot of difficulties, lost a lot but continues to stand firm, speaking up for what she believes in even if she stands alone in her convictions. After a church service where I preached on behalf of the women of our mission of nine churches, she came up to congratulate me.

22. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

You can find me on Facebook (personal) and the Business Page @magicneedleseapoint

For business inquiries, please contact me on What’s App or text me at +27 72 965 5873

Magic Needle (my shop) address:

74 Regent Rd, Gibraltar House, #114 (first floor) 8060 Cape Town, South Africa

Bonus Quick Round Qs:

1. What and who is worth suffering for? The weak and the poor. Also your loved ones, the homeless and outcasts. Anybody in need of my help, I would gladly suffer for.

2. Who is/are your mentor/s (men or women)? My mentors is God; I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

3. If you didn't have to work anymore what would you do with your days? I’d devote my time to our youth and single moms to inspire them and introduce them to this trade. 

4. If you could be anyone for a day who would you be? I'd be happy to be the owner of a British, Swedish or a French castle.

5. What bothers you most about other people? What do you love most about other people? I'm bothered by false pretensions and fake platonic smiles. I LOVE people who are content and satisfied to live in their own skin and who can joke about themselves. I also appreciate those who admit they made a mistake and can apologize. That's humanity!