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