Aqua Body boss babe, Nicci Fleish

We got to pick her brain about all things Aqua Body, fast fashion, making a difference and her personal lockdown favorites...

A little more about Nicci...

She is the brains behind operation Aqua Body with the sole focus of lending a helping hand to vulnerable individuals within the community whilst creating a trusted, ethical fashion brand.

Not only does she spread love and kindness to the people around her, but she's also an advocate for bunnies and with the joint forces of TheVirtualBunnyClub look to promote bunny awareness.

She exudes cool with her bohemian chic style and has a heart of gold with a sunshine soul!

---

1) What does being a boss babe mean to you?

Being a boss babe means to be self empowered! To be empowered means you make choices and trust the choices you make. To becoming stronger, confident and taking life by the reins! Being a boss babe is not only handling responsibility but also enjoying it.

2) Give us a little run down of what Aqua Body is all about...

Aqua Body is a virtual store that offers clothing and accessories handmade by local and talented designers and seamstresses who face social ills on a daily basis, creating peace work in the Western Cape. We pride ourselves on ethics, empowerment and compassion, and aim to favor unknown talents in the country. We want to make you and your loved ones glow with self love, glow with style, glow with expression and most importantly, glow with the essence of your magnificent being. We encourage new perspectives, styles and ideas. Aqua Body's message: don't just communicate the newest trends through your clothing; let them express who you are and what you're capable of. Know who you are wearing and be proud of it.

3) What are some of the challenges you face as a small business owner, especially now with the COVID-19 pandemic?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are aware that buying cute clothes in not exactly at the top of the agenda and we respect that completely. Our biggest priority is doing what we can to support our seamstresses while in lockdoen in their shacks. Before lockdown was implemented, we stocked up on breathable materials and supplied them with enough to sew 500-1000 3ply material face masks. Not only for our protection but to keep our seamsters busy, productive and to ensure they have a source of income during this time. On a more positive note, lockdown has given us the time to focus on building our brand and allowed us to be creative in playing around with different ideas.

4) If you could choose one item from your product list, what would it be and why?

I personally love all our items as I am lucky enough to be the head designer for most of our products! If I had to choose my ultimate fav, it would be our satin maxi skirts. They are available in the dreamiest colours, so easy to wear and could also dress them up or down making them suitable for any occasion.

5) What inspired you to create your brand Aqua Body?

I started my brand in 2014 as Aqua Bod-Hee when I was just 19 years old. The brand was based on spirituality and self expression. When I moved from Joburg to Cape Town in 2016, I had other priorities and sadly my brand had to take a back seat when I started working full time at a Cape Town based non-profit organization called Jedi Tedi. In 2019, I had the privilege of meeting Doug (who is now our head dressmaker) Doug was cleaning the carpets of our NPO office when he overheard mine and my colleagues conversation of a new idea we had to sew bags made from recycled tyre tubes. He interrupted our conversation by telling us that he's a self taught dress designer. We soon realized that every thing that Doug touches quite literally turns to gold. We developed a relationship with Doug who we try our best to support full time. Although Doug does not have it easy, he faces social ills daily in the Bonteheuwal Townships, like violence and gangsterism and is also HIV positive, we have added some sense of purpose and empowerment to his life. Since we rebranded to Aqua Body, we are affiliated with the Jedi Tedi NPO and our main objective is to favor under the radar talents like Doug, who deserve the acknowledgement despite their difficult living circumstances.

6) Do you believe that slow, ethical fashion is the way forward in the fashion industry?

Yes of course. We love our earth, we love our planet. Most of our items are upcycled and recycled. A lot of our items are curated from material donations (Madame Zingara donated the most incredible material which has made many items you see on our feed). We restructure old materials to make trendy new garments because when unwanted materials land up in landfills they create greenhouse gases... YUCK!

7) A secret weapon you believe all boss babes should have?

Faith! Its all gonna work out the exact way it's supposed to bby girl :)

8) If you had one wish to change one thing about the world, what would it be?

Being a true Aquarian, there's a lot of things about the world I would want to change. Crime, poverty, corruption, poor treatment of others. I just wish we would all treat each other the way we would want to be treated.

9) #QuarantineDiaries - what series are you currently bingeing during lockdown?

I'm a reality TV freak! I've finished season 1, season 2 and season 4 of Love Island. Too Hot to Handle. Temptation Island. Name it, I've probably seen it.

10) As a snack for a Netflix/movie marathon, what is your item of indulgence?

Chips, chocolate, Haribo cherry gums. My sweet tooth is out of control. And I'm okay with it :D

---

We hope we've left you inspired, contemplating fast fashion and understanding the significance of supporting small businesses, as more often than not, they are encouraging progressive ethical values and making a difference in local communities which is more than we can say for major clothing corporations. Love & light to you all xx