Simoyi talks business and fashion

Bruce Ndlovu
Internationally renowned Zimbabwean fashion designer and the head of American superstar Nicki Minajaï¿½ï¿½s clothing label Farai Simoyi this week made a surprise appearance on popular South African radio personality DJ Sbuaï¿½ï¿½s breakfast show to talk fashion and business.

Simoyi, who has been in South Africa over the past week holding various fashion seminars, took time to visit Times Media Studios on Tuesday and be part of DJ Sbuaï¿½ï¿½s groundbreaking breakfast show which broadcasts simultaneously on VUMA and RISE FM.

Before her current gig as Nicki Minajaï¿½ï¿½s chief designer, Simoyi had already worked with big name Hollywood fashion labels, having previously been the senior denim designer for House of Dereon, the clothing label by Beyonce Knowles and her mother, Tina Knowles.

In the interview Simoyi revealed her lifelong passion for fashion which had inspired her to abandon her academic studies and focus on her calling.

aï¿½?Fashion has always been instilled in me. It has always been a passion of mine and my aunt owned a lingerie company in Zimbabwe. From the age of three I was always sewing clothes for myself and my dolls. When I went to West Virginia I found myself doing a psychology major but in my sophomore year I just woke up and said I have to do fashion. Itaï¿½ï¿½s just in my blood and I canaï¿½ï¿½t see myself doing anything else,aï¿½? she said.

Simoyi also revealed that although she had made it overseas, her fashion outlook was still influenced by the African continent.

aï¿½?I have questioned what I was doing but for some reason the fashion in Africa has always pulled me back. So always go with what keeps pulling you and if itaï¿½ï¿½s within you canaï¿½ï¿½t release, you just have to keep going because there is going to be a moment when everything just breaks,aï¿½? she said.