Sheria Ngowi - Tanzania’s Fashion Gentleman
Sheria Ngowi is one of the leading designers in Tanzania and the best amongst the African designers – and he’s a talented designer. He is the fashion Guru when it comes to designing classic suits. Sheria really is the gentleman of fashion, his clothing line has only been operating for over 6 years since 2008, but it’s clear that his pieces has been one of the most respected names in men's custom tailored clothing, identified with superior fabrics, strong colors , meticulous hand tailoring, and quality that is becoming harder and harder to find these days.
"Our Dream at Sheria Ngowi Brand is to dress all men of 'stature' first in our continent #Africa in our World Class -Tailor made Suits". Said Sheria
Bongo Today had an interview
with Sheria Ngowi, catch up with the whole interview below;-
BT: Tell us about yourself and
When did you first start designing?
SN: - Sheria Ngowi (Born as
Walter Thomas Ngowi on October 1st, 1982). I am a Tanzanian fashion designer
and Founder (Sheria Ngowi Brand.
-My career famously began in 2008 when I debuted my designs for both women
and men under Brand name Sheria Na Mavazi in Mysore, India. So Sheria Na Mavazi
stands for Dressing Principles or Regulations. In 2009, I launched my first
professional collection under my own name Sheria Ngowi Designs. The Collection
was a dedication to my late father who was the driving force behind my love for
fashion.
BT: Who or what inspired you
to become a designer? Was it always something you always knew you would do?
SN: - So many sources but it
primarily comes from my late Father who was an incredibly stylish man and
because he used to love fashion and sense of style which inspired me a lot. I
get my inspiration also from a lot of things. It often evolves out of seeing a
single button or fabric or trimming which triggers an idea for a design. I
never spend a lot of time stressing about what sort of “theme” one of my
collections is going to have. The ideas are always there and ready to flow when
I start sketching.
-But my favorite and most inspirational period in my designs career is from
the early twentieth century – 1900 up to about 1970. It was such a pivotal time
in all the arts from painting to architecture. Illustration, photography and
film were all breaking new ground. It was a period when artists and designers
were concerning themselves with and influencing all aspects of daily life, from
interior decorating to fashion – there were some fascinating, adventurous
characters around and I love that period.
-Yes I Knew it, before I came back to start the fashion business, I was
studying law in India. But I never practiced Law. I have always loved to be
involved in the fashion industry but my dad wanted me to study law. You know
there is this thing about most of our African parents. My dad wanted me to go
into fashion, but after my law studies.
BT: - Who are your favorite
designers and why?
SN: - Tom Ford, simply because
he is solely responsible for the turnaround of one of the most stylish brands
there is out there, Gucci. Other designers who deserve mention are Ozwald Boateng,
Ralph Lauren,Paul Smith.
BT: - You have been involved with
a lot of cool designs. What was one of your favorite projects to work on so far
and why?
SN: - I can say all of them, however
someone once said, “Practice makes perfect“. While that statement might not be
completely true, I do believe that practice makes you better. If you're a
designer, you should be designing things. But sometimes it can get very easy to
get hung up in the minutia of work and life. And the best way to improve
designs is to do the designs. It’s like Actors rehearse their lines until they
learn them perfectly. Musicians practice their songs until every note is just
right. Athletes practice their particular sport so they can excel. Ask any
successful designer in the community about how they have succeeded and they
will attribute much of their success to practice.
BT: What are your plans for the
future?
SN: - By next year 2014 to launch
my factory production unit in Tanzania, which will supply our products to all
our upcoming flagship stores from Johannesburg, Nairobi, Kinshasa and Lagos.These
because there is no African Brand that can compare with the likes of Ralph
Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford and Ozwald Boateng who are at the helm of the
largest luxury brands of the world.
My aim is to at least spark interest and
growth in the fashion industry in Tanzania and Africa as a whole and challenge
these fashion superpowers because we have talent, all that we need is exposure
and investment in the right areas.
It will take us a lot of hard work and
dedication to accomplish all this but I believe everything is possible when you
have the right plan. Before 10 years Sheria Ngowi brand will be one of largest
luxury brand in the world.
BT: What is your advice to
other aspiring designers that would also love to have a successful career in
this business?
SN: - They should go deep inside
themselves and find what they really love to do. If you do things from your
heart you can make things happen. You can change the world because you have the
power and the power comes from within you.
They say that if you work hard
everything is possible.
Bongo Today, Asanteni Sana!
Sheria Ngowi.
More pictures from Sheria Designs
For More Details about Sheria Ngowi you can contact him via social networks: - Facebook and Twitter or visit his websites Sheriangowi and
Sheriangowibrand
Post a Comment