Getting To Know Miss Kasonde Nkole

Had a lovely interview with the amazing designer and a real friend Kasonde ,she has won several awards in her field of fashion and designing.From watching Youtube videos to making her mark in the clothing business..........................

Farashe: So tell me who is Kasonde?


Kasonde: Kasonde Nkole is a third born in a family of 7. I am a twin with a guy, my twin brother's name is Mumbi and we are 26 years old.

Farashe: Which schools have you gone to?


Kasonde: I did my secondary school at city education center. Have also done a Diploma in law at national institute of public administration (NIPA) am currently a third year student at Zambian open university studying my bachelor of laws (LLB).

Farashe:   At which age did u develop the interest in tailoring and designing?


Kasonde: I developed my designing interest when I was 17 years old; I was in grade 11 at the time. My friends noticed that in me and started calling me fashiolar, so I decided to start sketching all my ideas in a book. I never loved tailoring, so I thought I will go to school, get a job and earn money to open my own studio and employ tailors. So I would give tailors to tailor for me, but they would make totally different things, so in 2013 I decided to teach myself how to tailor through YouTube tutorial videos.

Farashe: Apart from designing what else do you do?


Kasonde: Like I said earlier am a third year law student at Zambian Open University. I am also a technical specialist for capital Christian media communications, I do video shooting, editing and directing. I am also a writer working on my first book, something exciting and motivating for the youths.

Farashe: Have you ever won any fashion award, if years when?


Kasonde: Yes I won my first ever fashion award at the Zambia fashion week 2014. I won the Zamtel jubilee challenge.

Farashe: Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?


Kasonde: 10 years from now, I see myself having been to all African and other countries exhibiting and supplying my African collections. I see myself owning a big fashion studio here in Zambia, employing, mentoring and giving opportunities to the youths who wish to take up fashion designing as a career.

Farashe:   In the fashion world which designer inspires you?


Kasonde: I would say Charity Nyirongo and Faith Kabende
8. If you weren't a fashion designer what would you have been?
Nhuuu I think I would be a Journalist

Farashe: Any other qualifications attend?


Kasonde: I have a diploma in Law

Farashe: What do you do in your free time?


Kasonde: I seriously have no free time, am at work whole day, then get home and work on the machine then study for school. Most of my free time is used to saw clothes.

Farashe: What’s your opinion about the fashion industry in Zambia at the moment?

Kasonde: The creativity is there and competition is massive. But we have a lot of work to do to make the Zambians to appreciate, love and support the local fashion industry. This is the only way designers are going to make it. We are getting recognition out there in foreign countries yes but we need more support from our own people. More especially when it comes to financial support from organizations and all. 95% of designers are youths with no money, and we at times have challenges of creating our pieces or attending foreign fashion shows due to lack of finances. All in all the Zambia fashion week is doing a great job in helping us showcase the creativity to the nation and the outside countries.

Farashe: A word to someone who is thinking about becoming a designer?


Kasonde: Go for it, every designer is unique in their own way, so bring out your uniqueness in the fashion industry, do not be intimidated by a fellow designer's work, only get inspired and motivated to work harder. Don't wait for anyone to create opportunities for you, create your own, and make sure you invest in it for it to grow, coz from my experience, no one will sponsor you when you just coming up, so work hard to get noticed and worthy for people to sponsor.

Lastly I have showcased in Zimbabwe at the Zimbabwe fashion week international, in Malawi at the Sand fest fashion show and in Namibia at the Africa’s finest culture and fashion show where I was one of the best 3 designers and we walked away with R10, 000 shared among the 3 designer

some of her designs......................

Pictures courtesy of JJArts, Fortress and Legacy Photography

UP CLOSE WITH ZAMBIAN MISS LIYAH PHIRI

Last week I had a talk with one of the most awesome lady’s that I have come across and did myself an interview with her coz there is more to her than meets the face. I just found out some amazing stuff about her life……………………………………………………………………..

Hey how are you? So tell me whose Liyah??

LIYAH: Am good thank you, Liyah is a positive person. One person, who is a goal getter, is very determined in life. She does not give up easily and she loves God and owes everything to Him.

Which schools have you attended??

LIYAH: Did my secondary school at Matero Girls high school
Went to college and did a certificate in travel tourism and hospitality management under ABE (UK) .Did my diploma in public relations at NIPA and I am currently pursuing a diplomatic course at Zambia institute of diplomatic studies.

When did yoh develop the interest in modeling?

LIYAH: Well I developed interested in modeling at a very tender age. It was in my 5th grade when I decided to take part in my first pageant. It was quiet challenging because I was more of a shy little girl. I used to watch a lot of pageants on TV especially Miss Zambia, Miss Malaika, Mnet face of Africa and Miss World. From that time onwards my interest and passion for modeling grew stronger than ever before.

Hey so apart from modeling what else do you do??

LIYAH: I work for an advertising agency called IDEASGO Activations
* Am a brand ambassador for Zambia breweries
*A member of Voice of the voice less whose main goal is to speak on behalf of people not only in our community but the world at large.  To touch lives of the vulnerable and to be the next generation of ideas. The foundation is aimed at dissecting the roles of the youths in the development of our Country through
Mentor ship and social involvement
to amplify the voice of the voiceless and to be heard.
We also hope to embark on developmental projects, social change, women/youth empowerment, child care as well mentor-ship and promoting girl child education. .
* Am also a member of Youth alliance movement of Zambia which is a non-governmental organization, whose objective is to advocate and promote youth participation in governance.
To advocate for human rights, sensitize youths on sexual reproductive health and to promote education for sustainable development.

Gosh miss that entire list well that’s great that you doing some great stuff with your life, so have you ever won any modeling title since yoh started modeling??

LIYAH:  Yes I have, first was Miss Youth Zambia finalists 2007, Miss Unity Zambia 2015 1st runners up, Miss Heritage Zambia 2015 first runner up, Miss Peace Zambia 2015, Miss Tourism Universe Zambia 2015

who inspires you in this industry?

LIYAH: The model who inspires me a lot is Naomi Campbell

Why her?

LIYAH: ahh she’s so amazing and strong and I love her personality

If you weren’t a model what would you have being?

LIYAH: I have always wanted to be a flight attendant... I loved anything to do with aviation

What do you love doing in your free time??

LIYAH:  I love spending time with my daughter and my family

OMG so you gat a daughter…Really okay

LIYAH: Yah I do her name is Clarice and she’s five, well most people don’t know that I have a child guess it’s time they knew and am actually not allowed to take part in other pageants cause of the fact that I have a child but look at me now an trying so hard to prove to those people out there who are saying I can’t that I actually can!!!

That’s so brave of you dear am actually proud of you coz you a strong lady, most models think the moment they have a child their career is over but hearing it from you will really help a lot of them and you looking in shape by the way

LIYAH: yes you right thanks I guess the gym is doing its work

Any words to would be Models??

LIYAH: Well. Modeling is  very good career but in Zambia it’s an industry which is growing and if one wants to be a model in Zambia, they first need to concentrate on school and take up modeling as a part time career because some of us do it for the passion and not for the money. It’s only in other countries where it is well recognized and a well-paid job. So I would tell upcoming models to put their studies first and then take up modeling as a part time career.

And in conclusion, life is all about ups and downs as well as challenges. It doesn't matter where you come from or what you have been through, what matters is where you are going.  Stay focused, be determined and disciplined in order for you to reach your goals. Don’t allow your past define you!!

Thank you for have this time with me Miss Liyah Phiri hope and pray to see you achieve more titles and inspiring more young ladies to take up the challenge.

Photos Courtesy of FINCH , FARASHE, TRAVIS AND FORTRESS