O’Brien Kanyandu (young zimbabwean fashion designer)

First and foremost, who is O’Brien Kanyandu 

Umm O'Brien is a Unique, 22yr old Speciss graduate and 2012 3rd runner up for the Clothing indaba young designer awards..

 Where do you get your INPIRATION FROM?

I get my Inspiration from God and the people around me.

DEVELOPMENT OF A COLLECTION

Like every designer, I believe in producing quality and guaranteed garments, when making my collection, I make sure I come up and produce a Unique garment be it crazy or what but something no-one has ever seen and attractive, most of I play with mixing of colors......

What are your BRAND VALUES?

so my brand values, are that I make sure I don’t produce a basic and obvious garment but rather stylish and a bit complicated

What is your work place like?

My workplace is my bedroom at the moment and I try and keep it smart every time...

Individuality vs. group belonging

Well I believe in managing business other than a group because normally groups have soo many fights and conflicts.

What materials do you mostly?

I mainly use Denim and t shirting material.

What have you learnt as a designer?

I have learnt to take every criticism.

What are your good and bad habits?What do you aim to achieve in fashion

Well I aim to be powerful, get to be known worldwide and be one of the best selling in this fashion industry.

What are some of the challenges you faced as a fashion Designer

Challenges I have faced are, not meeting up with the deadline to finish some garments and some people failing to pay up my service...

What is success to you?

Success is gaining Fame and prosperity...

What is your biggest achievement so far?

Winning for Clothing indaba 2012 means a lot to me #The major challenge for African youth is lack of enough Capital to pay to Showcase their talents as well support for them to go places as many believe designing is all only tailoring.

What do you think are the challenges facing African Youth today?

The major challenge for African youth is lack of enough Capital to pay to showcase their talents as well support for them to go places as many believe designing is all only tailoring

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Milan, Paris...worldwide

Who or What keeps you going through tough times?

Through hard times and prosperity my mom is always around.

On the local or international fashion scene, what is your absolute fashion? Must have or accessory at the moment?

Anything slim fit and colorful.

What music do you listen to and what do you do in your spare time?

Hip-hop, R&B and House music.....

Last but not least, what do you think of 7:30?
7:30 has got potential to be the best in Zimbabwe, i see it growing daily...

Sophila Kasukumya

kreative kingdom photography

This past week 7:30’s very own T.L.S. got on the phone to have an exclusive interview with Sophila Kasukumya, so she can give us an insight of the modeling industry....

[read the interview below]

T.L.S. –When & why did u become interested in a modeling career?

SOPHILA –I was in the seventh grade when I took part in my first modeling pageant at my school, I was always the tallest in my class and always felt awkward, my friends actually pushed me to try it cause they had faith in me that I did not have, so I gave it a try and vwala I loved it, started watching so many modeling TV shows and looked up to Cynthia Kanyema as my source of inspiration…

From then I have strived and pushed to do my very best though sometimes I may crumble I keep going on because I believe that in order to get to where I wanna go imma have to face some challenges

T.L.S.  –Tell us about your education? What languages do you speak? Have you attended fashion modeling courses/what courses have you taken?

SOPHILA –I did my primary in Zambia & went on to do my high school in Zimbabwe, where my passion for modeling took the next step, I am a fluent English speaker…I speak Bemba too…

T.L.S. –What are your goals as a model? How do you see yourself progress in this field?

SOPHILA –Seeing that modeling isn’t to par as in the western countries, I hope to create a platform that will help society appreciate the decency of modeling…

kreative kingdom photography

T.L.S. –What is your nutrition? How far do you go to the gym?

SOPHILA –Hahaha can I lie there??

T.L.S.-You can try..

SOPHILA –LoL...Well ummm, I start my day with cereal then a slightly heavy lunch which always has to be a balanced diet, then later in the evening I help myself with some light dinner, I jog four times a week…I take a glass of water every morning too.

T.L.S. –What are your dislikes & likes?

SOPHILA –Well I am no fan of judgmental people, especially people out there to point at your mistakes whilst forgetting to look into the mirror…failures…definitely hate the devil lol…the heat…I dislike liars…

I am definitely a fan of peace, cause peace is not only the greatest feeling but also determines the amount of progress one will make…I  like the cold, good for skin LoL…like making friends… music & obviously modeling

T.L.S. –Um ok…

SOPHILA –LoL I know I’m a lil’ boring…

T.L.S. –LoL

T.L.S. –Who are your favorite designers?

SOPHILA –Bridget Awosika (Nigeria), Doro Olowu Korto Monolu (Liberia), David Tlale (South Africa) & internationally Betsey Johnson…

"One has to be open minded, prim and proper, respectful, emotionally strong because it comes with pressure, one has to be patient"

T.L.S. –It is often said that a model should have a good personality. According to you, what are the traits required for a good personality?

SOPHILA –I personally think it all starts with the heart, a pure humble loving heart is your basic good personality, because then one watches out not for their own well being but for others also…

kreative kingdom photography

One has to be open minded, prim and proper, respectful, emotionally strong because it comes with pressure, one has to be patient, I personality think that all these and more great qualities come with being a Christian…THE LOVE OF GOD WILL GUIDE YOU…

T.L.S. –Lol you answered my next question

SOPHILA –Lol really??

T.L.S. – Anyways next question, do you think that your hair should also complement your attire or do you think that it is ok to go around with the same kind of hair style to different places and with different types of clothes?

SOPHILA –Well I think that hair styles are to compliment your fashion sense it’s important because fashion tells a story and hair is part of it…

kreative kingdom photography

T.L.S. –OK, Tell us about your greatest achievement so far?

SOPHILA –LoL…the question I dislike, umm ok, except the fact that I have excelled in my school, I have managed to take part in several charitable organizations such as the junior council, which have enabled me to assist where I can, I have also proudly participated in different pageants that have created a platform for me to speak out for my fellow youths...

T.L.S. –What advice would you give to new comers in the modeling industry?

SOPHILA –Without sugar coating I would advise them to say the industry requires not only beauty but brains also to go along with it so they should be informed…it’s not that easy it’s a tough industry that requires hard work and commitment, it’s like any mere job except a lil’ flexible, be strong determined and see you at the top..

T.L.S. –What can be the worst nightmare in the modeling industry? 
 SOPHILA –Ummm not being able to a successful and productive model…

T.L.S. –Finally what do think of 7:30 apparel?

SOPHILA –Okay so besides 7:30 being the best at what it does with its distinguishing attributes that makes its brand stand out from several others, I also think it is a fantastic guide to everyone that needs the latest and sickest fashion advice…