Mirriam Munthali: all shades of beautiful competition winner

Each morning, designer Mirriam Munthali rises to challenge herself with innovative designs at Bangwe Weaving Factory in Blantyre.

The weaving factory, a commercial arm of the Malawi Council for Disability Affairs (Macoda), is a melting pot of various skills by people with disabilities whose textile products are a testimony of their determination and creativity.

This is where Mirriam contributes to the factory’s output by turning fabrics into attractive attires with unique designs.

Mirriam, a woman of very few words, says she was born without a disability, but her left leg developed a condition which degenerated into a disability after undergoing a surgical operation.

“I never allowed my situation to limit my abilities, instead, I used it as a source of strength because I knew I had a lot of ability within me that would help me to live a fulfilled life,” she says.

A third-born in a family of nine, she says her love for fashion began at a tender age when she would make clothes using scrap cloth.

As years went by, Mirriam saw her interest in fashion design grow and she started looking for formal training to sharpen it.

After completing secondary education at Katowo Community Day Secondary School in Rumphi in1992, she enrolled for a six-month tailoring training at the Kamuzu Vocational Training and Rehabilitation Centre at Magomero in Chiradzulu.

“This was one of my happiest days of my life because l knew that it was a step forward to my destiny,” she says.

Upon completion, Mirriam was employed by the Bangwe Weaving Factory on November 11 1994. This is a day she fondly remembers.

Over the years she has mastered developing patterns for traditional attires and modern ones to the admiration of many who have seen her work.

The 54-year-old mother of three is also a source of inspiration for the younger workers on the Bangwe Weaving Factory floor and beyond.

Mirriam’s work has also been recognised elsewhere through the second edition of All Shades of Beautiful competition which took place in September 2022 in Blantyre.

She says: “I was selected to be one of 11 contestants in the fashion design competition and I got an award for emerging second. 

“This motivated me because l knew I was improving in designing skills.”

To put icing on the cake, one of the dresses she made was featured in the 51st Edition of Portugal Fashion which took place in Porto from in October 2022.

Yes, a dress made by a woman with a disability from Malawi featured shoulder to shoulder with works of renowned designers such as Lily Alfonso.

Mirriam says the fashion show helped her learn new fashion insights from fellow contestants.

She says: “Through the competition and exhibitions, we proved to the world that disability is not inability. This helped people to change their perception towards people with disabilities.

“I believe every person should be accorded an opportunity to showcase their talents despite their physical appearance so that together, we can change the country for the better.”

Mirriam notes with sadness that perceptions that people with disabilities do not have capacity to contribute towards national development have resulted in them being denied opportunities to thrive.

“Look at me. With my talent and determination, I was employed by the Bangwe Weaving Factory. They have provided me with a platform to showcases my skills and creativity. When they are asked to show their fashion designer, they mention my name,” she says with pride.

Mirriam says she looks at her work with pride because they are a testimony that talent has no boundaries.

“When I look at some of my designs, I look at my journey as a powerful reminder that with passion and perseverance, no obstacle is insurmountable,” she says.

Mirriam says is also grateful to her mentors who helped her to rise to her status.

She says: “I am grateful to Macoha [now Macoda] for giving me an opportunity to work at the Bangwe Weaving Factory. Without them, there was no way people would have noticed my work.

“Let me also acknowledge a fashion designer who trades as House of  Xandria who taught me different types of designs.”

Mirriam calls upon people with disabilities to refrain from begging for survival, but instead discover the talents in them and nurture them for long-financial independence.

Talking about her work as a fashion designer, she says she considers the body structure of the person who is going to wear the particular attire.

She then takes measurements of the customer and then cuts it according to the design.

“If a designer does not take into consideration the body structure of the customer, there is no way the customer will be satisfied,” she says.

Mirriam acknowledges that the fashion industry is changing and designers are supposed to upgrade themselves with new fashion skills that will help produce for local and international markets.

“Recently, I have been using online tutorial about tailoring and designing to gain new knowledge about modern designs to match with changing times,” she says.

Mirriam says she takes her designing as a way of telling stories; stories of hope, resilience and about beauty even in the face of adversity.

Any dreams?

“Looking ahead, I have dreams of starting my own fashion line, one that not only showcases my designs, but also empowers others with disabilities,” she says.

To this end, she dreams of training people with disabilities so that they can attain financial independence through tailoring.

In her free time, Mirriam loves knitting.

And so, the days pass as Mirriam stitches her future a stitch at a time.

Thus she looks at the future with determination. This is the determination that makes her stand as a beacon of hope for many women with disabilities.