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Tsitsi Ndabambi
Mehndi or Henna is an ancient Indian art form where creative designs are drawn on the body as a form of expression and the brand, Sam Green by Sammy, is slowly becoming the most sought after when it comes to that body art.

Sammy, a tattoo lover was researching and designing her own future tattoo that she was saving for, when she discovered Henna and immediately took an interest in it.

Without wasting time Sammy immediately jumped into teaching herself in doing this semi-permanent art and as she is always sketching, painting and experimenting on fashion skills and exploring new traits it took her a short period of time to grasp how it is done. Unlike body tattoos which are excruciatingly painful and permanent, henna art is on the tender side and can easily be exchanged for a different design.

Her business mind switch was triggered and she did not waste time in exchanging a few bond notes for Henna; “There is definitely a gap in the market for it but to date since the day I stepped in to this business I have had a positive response which is pushing me to expand further,” said Sammy, “I do not subscribe to pre-set mehndi patterns as I like to always put an original twist to my work, so I try to incorporate my personal flair which has a stronger tribal ethnic influence.”

Winning Emerging Designer of the Year 2013/ 14 for Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe was a solidifying moment for her to go fully into what she believes in.

She went on to study her BA in Fashion Design at LISOF Fashion University in South Africa further opening her creative side challenging herself in many ways as a creative.

“The type of art I identify most with would be one of intangibility, I enjoy the versatility of being in the arts and I always want to see how I can further stretch and challenge that, I live and breathe every moment of my career as I learn something new every time and I appreciate this immensely.”

With her business partner fashion designer Danayi Madondo of House of Stone a fashion label that has dressed the likes of songstress Tamy Moyo, the two have merged their brands and established BLVK Creative and Image Consultancy.

“Our baby which is slowly growing is specialising in image branding, styling for music videos, photo-shoots and live performance styling for artistes looking for a professional and curated look. We are proud to have worked with Chengeto and Ammara Brown, Dobba Don and Takura to name a few artistes,” she proudly mentioned. “We have also dressed Oliver Mtukudzi, Hope Masike, MisRed, Eve Kawadza and our latest work was done on Yaka Yaka a Zimbabwean artiste and actress based in South Africa.”

Yaka Yaka, who recently shot a music video with Roki in Harare, sought Sammy’s services and had her do the henna art on her arm adding a bit of zest to her video wardrobe and make up.

Sammy and Danayi work on a busy but flexible timetable. Sometimes they work on a project for more than 24 hours straight in one sitting. She says this is where she is grateful because they balance themselves and complement each other perfectly during such arduous projects.