Celebrating creator Cindy from Earthly Collection

Cindy Hart – Earthly Collection

I was born in Polokwane and spent a few years in Pretoria, where I studied public relations. My first taste of the Lowveld came during a stint as the public relations officer in the director’s office at the Kruger National Park. That was the best year of my life! Since then, I’ve lived in the Lowveld on and off for the better part of 20 years. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster, but what a ride it’s been!

My husband, Morné Dorfling, and I rekindled a friendship that blossomed into romance, and we’ve been happily raising our seven-year-old son, Jamie, in our hometown of Hazyview ever since. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I realised I needed a change and started my business, creating a range of bohemian-inspired kaftans, dresses, and kimonos.

The rise of the Earthly Collection

At the time, my hobby was making beaded jewellery, and I thought, why not start selling it? I loved being expressive and creative, so I gave it a try. From beads, I moved on to kaftans and tie-dye.

Why kaftans? Well, they’re light, comfortable, and breezy—they hide all manner of sins, and I feel like a queen when I wear mine!

Honestly, I never imagined starting a clothing line, and I had no idea what to expect. But I wanted to make women feel like royalty. As a larger-than-life lady myself, I know how hard it can be to find outfits that fit loosely, made with breathable fabrics, and that don’t look like your grandma’s curtains. Tie-dye might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the fabrics I choose are bold and modern, with a lot of sexy and sass. I saw a need in the market for more plus-size creations, and as it turns out, all sizes love my designs.

My Team & Process

My team is small right now—it’s just me and Granny Khoza, a talented seamstress who helps with the sewing. For larger orders, I work with Pieter and Elsie van Zyl of Cosmos Clothing to handle bulk production. My Earthly Collection staples are kaftans, kimonos, and maxi summer dresses, all sized to fit fuller figures comfortably.

I built my business on kaftans, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the growing popularity of the maxi dresses—they’re light, loose, have shoulder straps, and even pockets! The kimonos are pure indulgence, inspired by Eastern styles with large open sleeves and thick trim, while the tie-dye kimonos feel like a boho-chic jacket.

For me, creating these outfits is an art form. I start by washing and drying the fabric to maximize shrinkage, then cut and sew it into garments. At that point, the fabric becomes a blank canvas, and that’s when I work my magic—tying the fabric into shapes to create bold, expressive patterns as the dye seeps into all the nooks and crannies. When I’m done, I hang the piece to dry, and just like an artist, I feel a little sad that I can’t keep it.

Afterward, the garments find their way to their new owners, either through my online shop or at local markets, which I see as my support system and compass whenever I start to doubt myself.

Get yours TODAY!!

I love going to the markets, and I can’t see myself giving that up anytime soon. I need the chitchat, reconnecting with old friends, making new ones—it’s more than just the sale, it’s about the human connection. Whether we’re buying from one another or just fixing each other’s crowns, I love seeing potential clients try on an item and feel beautiful in it. And most of all, I love the smiles when I tell them. Shop yours now.

‘The dress has no front, no back, no broeks, no bra.🤣