Designer Spotlight: Farai Simoyi

Hello lovelies!!

When i was contacted about Farai Simoyi, a talented upcoming designer with a whimsical eye for design and a fresh outlook, I was excited.During these times, when the use of ethnic print has gotten wildly popular and is saturating the western media,its easy to think that not much can be done to innovate the famous print.Farai has skillfully cleared up that misconception with her "Bohemian and Edgy aka BODEGE" designs. I love that the designs are a kind of sophisticated mishmash that stylishly layers textures without the hassle of piling on clothes.
I wish Farai much luck for her future, but I think her talent will ensure she goes very far.


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Farai was kind enough to answer some questions to give us more of an insight to her most recent collection:

1. Most designers design for themselves first. Please tell us what inspired you to begin create clothes
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I knew ever since I was a little girl that designing, sewing, & creating was something that I loved, but it wasn't until I was l older that I realized that I can turn what I love into a career. What inspired me to begin to create and turn my passion into a career was to be able to see another woman wearing what I designed. I want to create emotion in the woman who is buying my design. Think of how good it feels when you are shopping and you find that amazing dress, in your size, it fits perfectly in all the right places, and it's for a great price; and all you can think about is where you're going to wear it to, with what shoes, with what purse, how to do your hair etc...That's all emotion...and that's what I want to create.

2. Your clothes are beautiful, especially your new collection Primordia. Can you tell us a little about it and what inspired it?
Thank you. Primordia is a collective of design ideas that I've had for years and that I've placed in my Design Files Archive. A portion of the archive consists of ideas that I've presented to other design companies and have in one way or another been put to the side, but that I have always felt where killer ideas. And the other portion of the archive are ideas that I've dreamed of and woken up to sketch. That is what inspired Primordia.

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3. How did you get into the fashion industry? Who is the typical woman for whom you design your clothes?
After graduating college I moved to NYC and hustled my way into the fashion industry. I was given an opportunity to work as an assistant technical designer for a large company and although technical design wasn't my heart I knew it would open more avenues and it also allowed me to understand the garment construction aspect. The typical woman that I design for is young and young at heart fashion forward women who are worldly thinkers and are aware of global issues that are changing the fashion, music, and film industries among many others.


4.Where do you draw inspiration for your designs from? Does your culture affect your designs and how?
My inspiration comes from a mixture of different cultures. I design as if I'm a musician on a world tour and each destination inspires a different idea. My Zimbabwean roots are instilled in me and yes, my culture has a strong influence on how I design. My culture is very colorful and so are my collections...you probably won't catch me designing an all black collection; there always has to be a splash of color.

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5. Has your design aesthetic changed as you’ve matured in your craft or do you have one set vision that you’ve stuck with it?
My vision has always been the same because my vision is a reflection of who I am as a person and designer. But my design aesthetic has changed a lot as I have matured. When I first started designing I would only design for me me me and not think about the woman that I am designing for. As designers, in the grand scheme of things we are artists and as artists we can create some pretty wacky designs, but what we learn to do is to find a balance between what we love and what will work for our customer. And with Primordia I designed what I loved, but at the same time wanted to create pieces that everyone woman would love and thus comes the balance.

6. Do you have any style tips for the readers?
Trends are fun, but trends come and go. I have friends that spend every bit of their paycheck on clothes and I ask them why...and they say, "I have nothing to wear"...that's because they are always shopping for the latest trend then a week later it's not trendy anymore. Shop SMART is what I say. Buy a few trendy pieces, but aways compliment them with classic pieces or pieces that you know you can have forever. That's how you save money and you can have more options and longevity in your wardrobe.

7. If you had to describe your collection in 3 words what would they be?

SOFT/STEEL/BOEDGE(Bohemian + Edgy)= BOEDGE

8. Are your designs available for purchase and who are the stockists?

Yes, the accessories of are available for sale online at www.faraisimoyi.com. The rings are a hit and we've been getting lots of orders on them so we will be offering more accessories soon. The clothing will not be available for purchase until Spring/Summer 2011.


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Visit Farai Simoyi for more

7 comments:

Ardourliene said...

This is great!!! I would totally rock these! great interview!!

Sing of Singature Style said...

Love the bold patterns and colors of these.

Anonymous said...

Love the dress of the last pics, beautiful ethnic printed!!

Myne said...

Lovely interview and her designs sure stand out.

Milan said...

Awesome designs! She's really talented and I luv how colorful her clothing is.

Candace Best said...

I usually lurk around here but I wanted to thank you for highlighting wonderful designers with ethnic aesthetics. I LOVE IT! I come here just to see who you've found!

Anonymous said...

Farai, your work is amazing!