When you interview Carmy Davis, CEO of Davis Clothing Collection (DCC), you quickly realise she represents the kind of entrepreneurial leadership South Africa urgently needs: driven by a long-term vision, resilient and committed to building something that lifts others with her.
A qualified Cost and Management Accountant with an MDP from the University of Pretoria, Carmy has over 16 years of experience across retail, finance and manufacturing. Her career highlights include serving as a Woolworths Foods Buyer, where she managed a R1.2 billion portfolio, experience that has sharpened her eye for product quality, operational excellence and consumer expectations.
But her greatest role has been reviving a family legacy started by her mom in 2006. In 2019, Carmy relaunched Davis Clothing Collection, transforming it into a nationally recognised, 100% Black woman-owned manufacturing company. At its peak, the company employed more than 90 people, many from disadvantaged communities. For her, DCC is more than a business. It is a platform for skills development, job creation and community upliftment — and Carmy stands firmly at the centre of that mission.
A Proudly South African Manufacturing Powerhouse
Davis Clothing Collection specialises in high-quality apparel manufacturing, including babywear, menswear, ladies’ underwear, and pet apparel. It also produces retail-ready clothing under the DCC brand and engages in contract manufacturing for retailers, corporates, and emerging brands.
The business offers full cut–make–trim (CMT) services, working with ethically sourced materials, including locally produced 100% BCI cotton.
What truly sets DCC apart is its commitment to impact-driven manufacturing. The company partners with SETAs and TVET colleges to train youth and prepare them for careers in the clothing industry, a sector where skilled machinists are in high demand but in short supply.
Carmy’s vision is unapologetically bold: to build a globally competitive African clothing brand, grow manufacturing capacity, and create 250 sustainable jobs by 2030.
Finding Purpose in Production
Although DCC dates back to 2006, Carmy stepped in in 2019 to re-establish the business — not only to revive the legacy started by her mother, but also to build a legacy for her children. She saw an industry that had been hollowed out, communities desperate for work, and a manufacturing opportunity that could be revived through the right leadership.
With her retail and financial experience, she identified a gap: high-quality, locally manufactured apparel made ethically and sustainably, with the agility to serve both retailers and emerging brands.
Her mission was clear: To build a future-focused manufacturing hub rooted in craftsmanship, empowerment, and local talent development.
Says Davis: “I believe that my work can create real opportunities for others with a job, a skill, a sense of dignity. I’m driven by the vision of building something that impacts families and communities, not just profit margins.”
The Hardest Lessons: Structure, People and Pricing
Carmy’s entrepreneurial path has been marked by deep learning. One of her biggest lessons has been the importance of structure in manufacturing.
“A factory needs operational discipline, not just creativity. It requires systems, cash-flow management and patience. Building a business isn’t just about the product, it’s about people, leadership and mental resilience.”
She also emphasises the importance of correct pricing. Underpricing to secure orders, she warns, is a trap many new business owners fall into:
“Don’t under-cost your product. The right customers will pay your prices.”
Looking back, she says she would have invested in systems, equipment and support staff much earlier: “In the early days I tried to do everything myself, which slowed growth. Documenting procedures, investing in the right equipment and building a solid support team earlier would have taken us even further, faster.”
Above all she says, “Trust your intuition.”
Scaling for the Future
Davis Clothing Collection has several strategic growth plans for the next 18–24 months, including:
- Expanding manufacturing capacity through improved workflow.
- Growing retail channels through Takealot, Amazon, Loot and exports.
- Securing major contract manufacturing partnerships.
- Increasing their staff complement, especially youth trainees and skilled machinists.
- Accessing funding to support technology upgrades, market expansion and equipment investment.
- Strengthening the DCC brand through digital marketing and consistent product drops.
These goals will be achieved through a combination of improved factory operations, strategic partnerships, and targeted marketing.
Davis’s growth plans are both ambitious and attainable, grounded in improved operations, strong relationships, and a clear focus on quality.
Standing Tall: Milestones That Matter
Carmy is a graduate of the Woolworths Enterprise & Supplier Development Programme and has earned multiple accolades, including:
- Woolworths Supplier Development of the Year
- Finalist in the AWIEF Nedbank Growth Accelerator
- Participant in the BRICS Women Innovation Contest
- Finalist in the Productivity SA National Productivity Award (Medium Category)
- Graduate of the City of Cape Town’s High Impact Supplier Development Programme
- And most recently, 2nd place in the Bellville Connect Level Up Business Programme by the Greater Tygerberg Partnership
Yet when asked about the milestones she is most proud of, Carmy cites the deeply personal wins that shaped her entrepreneurial journey:
- Establishing a fully operational manufacturing facility from the ground up.
- Supplying products to recognised retailers.
- Training and employing young people with no prior experience.
- Building a brand that people trust.
- Surviving tough economic seasons — and still pressing on.
Each milestone validates every sacrifice and reminds her that resilience is what defines long-term entrepreneurs.
A Mindset Built for Impact
For Carmy, the entrepreneurial mindset is a blend of courage, long-term thinking and adaptability:
“It means seeing possibility where others see risk. It’s getting back up after setbacks, again and again, even when the path isn’t clear.”
Her work is driven by purpose, legacy, and by a deep belief in the dignity of work. Every job created at DCC reflects a life changed, a household supported, and a community uplifted.
Advice for Entrepreneurs Carving Their Own Path
Through her lived experience, Carmy shares three powerful lessons:
- Start before you feel ready. Momentum is more important than perfection.
- Build systems, not stress. Structure brings growth and peace.
- Stay resilient and keep your “why” close. Entrepreneurship is tough, but purpose keeps you moving.
Carmy’s dream of building Africa’s most admired woman-led lifestyle powerhouse remains her guiding force — a vision deeply rooted in quality, culture and community upliftment. With her characteristic grit and devotion to South African manufacturing, she is undoubtedly crafting a legacy that will stand the test of time.
