Fashion Designer Andile Cele Loses Everything In Fire

Andile Cele, the renowned designer behind the Scotch is Dope brand, suffered a major loss as his entire collection was destroyed in a fire at his Johannesburg studio on Thursday.

His studio and store at Constitutional Hill were reduced to ashes, leaving him heartbroken.

The fire struck only weeks after Cele, founder and CEO of Scotch is Dope, showcased his designs at Moscow Fashion Week.

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While the cause remains unclear, it’s suspected a geyser burst may have sparked the flames. Cele, devastated by the destruction, shared with ZiMoja that finding his studio in ruins was a shock.

His latest collections, customer orders, and archives of his past work—all gone. He expressed his heartbreak at losing not only his creations but also important documents and personal archives.

The financial impact is significant, with damages estimated to exceed a million Rand. Cele revealed that he had previously reported faulty electricity to building management but felt his concerns were ignored.

A source at Constitutional Hill confirmed Cele’s prior complaints about the plugs, adding, “Look now, the poor guy’s studio has burnt down.” Cele, who has designed for notable celebrities, reflected on the setback, calling it “disheartening.”

An official at Constitutional Hill declined to comment on the fire, stating they only issue statements through outsourced PR when needed.