Interview with Fashion designer Kapasa Musonda

Zambian fashion designer Kapasa Musonda will be lauching her label Mangishi-Love this  Saturday 9th June at Hotel Intercontinental. Guest performance by Dezert Roze!!! 

VIP tickets are K200 000 and regular tickets are K100 000.

Like her on facebook  for more information about the launch http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mangishi-Love/276281285744554

 

We recently had an interview with the fashion designer.

KAPA187:When did you first fall in love with fashion designing?

Kapasa Musonda: Id have to say 6th grade. I remember coming back home from school and sketching out a bunch of designs, I particularly remember sketching a dress inspired by my mothers palm trees. Man, I wish I still had that sketch book, they were all kinds of designs. Those were some of the happiest moments!

 

KAPA187:When did you get serious about fashion designing , and when you went to study it at college was your family supportive.

Kapasa Musonda:Id say just after writing my 12th grade exams, the period I was awaiting my results. I had designed my friends and I graduation outfits and that really was the beginning of my fashion journey. Sooner later I won a business plan competition which earned me a trip to the U.S and whilst there I won myself a fashion Scholarship. I guess I still feel like everything just fell I into place and I haven’t looked back since. My family were and are still very supportive and that has really helped me strive the extra mile and it’s been rewarding knowing they are proud of all my achievments and are my number one fans

 

KAPA187:What do you think is the biggest misconception about working in the fashion industry?

Kapasa Musonda:That it’s easy and as long as you have a good fashion sense then you can work in the fashion industry. You really need to have some form of fashion related training depending on what u want to specialize in. Once your in the fashion industry you learn there is a lot involved, everything is a process and there is a specific expectation to every job you take, you really can’t wing anything unless you are working for yourself ofcourse but even that requires acquired knowledge and experience.

 

KAPA187: Describe the general process you go through to design and realize a piece of clothing.

Kapasa Musonda:Well first I look for my inspiration and decide where I want to go with the collection. Inspiration can be anything, photographs, fabric, color pallettes, flowers, a destinatin…anything that gets your creative juices flowing. Then I sketch it out and it’s off to the fabric store. I then start to make the first samples, bringing the sketch to life. Usually I use my dress form at this point and this always helps in acquiring the perfect fit, there after I fit the drape onto a model. If it is a good fit, I will transfer that to paper and make the pattern and make all the necesary calculations and adjust accordingly. The pattern is cut onto sample fabric and sewn together. The sample is fitted on the model again and if it is not a perfect fit it’s back to adjusting the pattern but if it fits perfectly then the pattern can be cut onto the final fabric and sewn. The rest is styling and final touches. That’s the general process, it requires you to be a perfectionist, which I fortunately/unfortunately am, because you really need to pay close attention to detail!

 

KAPA187:Who are some of your favorite designers and why?

Kapasa Musonda:Coco Chanel period! Her originality, strength and work ethic are qualities I try to work by and have helped build and mould my fashion career. To think she built her empire from nothing and long after her death it lives on. She did what had not been done before, she gave women a new life through her pieces, she set fashion trends that have inspired designers like myself all over the world. She made fashion her life and I can truly relate to that. Coco Chanel once said…”To be irreplaceable, one must be different” a quote I live by everyday.

KAPA187:Fashion is always changing , nothing stays in for too long. How do you keep your pieces original and fresh?

Kapasa Musonda:Well I’m an artist first so I’m always letting my artistic imagination run wild and that keeps me inspired. No matter what the inspiration I see to it that my piece embody modernity, sophistication and uniquness. At this point I know my customer, what he or she likes and wants to feel like so I am able to keep my pieces original and fresh. I also am a sucker for setting trends and to do that, uv got to be original!

 

KAPA187: What one piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to start a career in fashion?

Kapasa Musonda:Go for it, don’t give yourself the slightest chance to think twice about it because you will regret it. Once your on your fashion journey, be open minded, trust your creative instincts, think outside the box, learn and learn some more, listen, experience cultures and be inspired. I could go on, but most of all be you and stay true to yourself because it will help you discover who you are as a designer and what you want to say with and thru your pieces.

 

KAPA187: Describe how it felt the first time you saw one of your designs on the runway.

Kapasa Musonda:It was sureal, to see what began as a wish come to life was just so emotional. I remember feeling so accomplished in that moment as though time had stopped in just that very moment. Only four years prior I had this vision, this dream, this belief, this hope and standing there at the other end of the runway it was flashin right before my eyes , A simple but exhilarating experience!

KAPA187: You have worked in California but what do you think of the fashion industry back in Zambia?

Kapasa Musonda:  I learnt and experienced a lot in a place that has one of the beat fashion industrys in the world and that gave me the insight and confidence I needed to achieve the next big thing in my life which brings me here! I am back in my homeland, Zambia and am working towards a label launch which I’m super excited about. I think the fashion industry here is getting some much needed attention. I feel people are beginning to recognize local talent and are actually supporting it! Truth be told, the industry can only grow and get better if designers like myself develop it, create opportunies for others and introduce new methods of doing things and produce garments of international quality and standards. I hope I can lead by example, i plan to!

 

KAPA187: I think it is safe to say that you are living your dream , where do you see yourself in the next 10 years.

Kapasa Musonda:Thanks, I am certainly happy with where I have reached thus far in my career but I still feel there is a lot lot more I want to experience, try and achieve. Ten years from now I see my label, Mangishi-love…ML being an established brand both locally and internationaly. Ten years from now I feel I would have structred a solid platform for upcoming fashion designers and fashion students who are trying to find their way into the fashion industry through internship programmes and training facilities.

 

KAPA187: Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know.

Kapasa Musonda:Haha, let me think about that first. Well Im addicted to old school ragga, it’s the only music I will dance to anywhere (yes anywhere) as long as I hear it play, it’s almost like I loose myself in the music can’t quite describe it

 

KAPA187: which of your projects has given you the most satisfaction?

Kapasa Musonda:My debut fashion show in Los Angeles. Still remember all the bright lights, 10000 people witnessing my designs from the runway and the walk right after with the applaud, such a rewarding moment. When you design you don’t know what effect you will have on people thru your pieces. To see it fitting perfectly on a person and have people marvel at it, it’s a feeling I can’t quite explain. I just love to make people happy thru my clothing. Fashion design is my life and everyday I get to do it is such a treat for me. As much as that will always be a memorable show, I think my label launch this March will top that!

 

“Mangishi is a piece of wire twisted and spun into an artistic craft. To us it is like a piece of thread spun and sewn into a fabric creating a garment. Love is simply because we love what we do! We are hopeless creatives at heart who just want to make a statement thru our Clothing. We want you relate to our design aesthetic and discover your individual style within the brand that allows you to express who you are. Our pieces are one of a kind, they are made to enhance and blend in with your closet so that your favorites are never forgotten.”

Take a look at some of her designs

                                           

     

         

 

By Kapa187