Women’s Month Spotlight: Leila Van Niekerk is Redefining Effortless Style with Rokkie

After studying fashion design in Cape Town and earning her master’s in international fashion business in Italy, Leila Van Niekerk set out to conquer the industry on an international stage. From interning in Berlin to working in Munich and attending Paris Fashion Week, Leila lived the dream but something was still missing.

That missing piece? Purpose, roots, and a brand of her own. Enter Rokkie, a proudly South African fashion label born out of a love for timeless wardrobe staples, smart dressing, and the Afrikaans slang for a simple, reliable dress. Produced locally and rooted in sustainability, Rokkie is more than a fashion line—it’s a love letter to real women, real life, and making every outfit work overtime. Here, she chats about risk, reinvention, and the little dress that started it all.

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Glamour: Let’s start at the beginning. What first drew you to fashion?
Leila: I’ve always loved fashion; it just made sense to me. I studied fashion design at Fidesa in Cape Town and loved every minute. But I always knew I wanted more than just local experience, so I packed my bags and went to Italy to do my master’s in international fashion business. It was a dream.

Glamour: That sounds like a major career leap. What happened next?
Leila: At the time, I thought, “This is it. I’ve made it. I can work at Dior, Chanel…anything is possible!” But reality hit quickly. It’s still tough, even with an international degree. I ended up interning at Zalando in Berlin, then working for a denim brand in Munich called Frame. It was amazing! I was flying to Paris Fashion Week, doing line reviews in London but I still didn’t feel fully grounded. I never planned to immigrate. I wanted the experience, not a new passport.

Glamour: So what brought you back to South Africa?
Leila: I got to a point where I had to ask myself: Do I become German? Learn the language, settle down, build a life there? It just didn’t sit right. I missed home, and I wanted to create something of my own that was meaningful. So I came back and that’s how Rokkie was born.

Glamour: The name Rokkie has such a personal feel to it. How did it come to you?
Leila: It’s actually such a funny story! I had this one dress I kept wearing when I started dating my boyfriend. I’d throw on a scarf, mix up the accessories, meet the mom, meet the friends, all in the same dress. I’d say to him, in my Afrikaans accent, “Should I wear that rokkie again?” And he said, “You should definitely call your brand Rokkie.” It just clicked. It’s rooted in who I am, and what the brand is; simple, versatile, proudly South African.

Glamour: What was your vision for the Rokkie collection?
Leila: I wanted to prove that you don’t need a massive wardrobe to look good. You just need a few key pieces—great fabrics, smart silhouettes, and lots of accessories. You can wear one dress to work with loafers and a blazer, and then change into heels for dinner. Take it on holiday, wear it over your bikini, throw on some red lipstick—it’s fashion that works. And it’s sustainable. Quality over quantity, always.

Glamour: You’ve been to Paris Fashion Week as part of global brands. Do you see yourself going back with Rokkie?
Leila: Absolutely! I left Paris with a heavy heart because I loved that world, but I knew I’d be back in a different capacity, on my terms. Rokkie is the beginning of that dream. We’re not there yet, but we’re working hard, and when we go back, we’ll be bringing the South African spotlight with us.

Glamour: What advice would you give young women trying to break into fashion?
Leila: Be bold—but also be patient. The industry looks glamorous, but it’s tough. Intern, say yes to the jobs that aren’t your dream, and learn from everything. And don’t be afraid to come back home and start small. There’s something really powerful about building where your roots are.