My dream ever since I was a child
was always to become
an international fashion designer.
I didn't know how it was
going to happen, but
there are some things which
happen for a reason
to take me to a place
where I am today.
I do custom clothing for both
men and women.
So I try to specialize more
on formal wear
to make beatiful gowns for people
who go for red carpet or for
those who do, you know,
their weddings.
Just for special events.
This is how you are going to look
in the evening.
So now we're going to try to
put on that one
so you'll see how you're going to
look during the day.
Don't cry yet.
Wow!
So what makes me stand out
compared to other designers
is that I have such a rich
background, becuase
based on my culture
we like bright colors. We like
to look elegant to stand out.
So when you look at my craft
you will see there's always
special details.
What drove me to become a
fashion designer first of all
it's a passion.
Becuase fashion for me is
something that I started to do ever
since I was a child.
I was born in the Congo.
Life in the Congo is not
always easy especially for
kids or for young people
becuase there is a lot of suffering
in the country.
I was born in a good family.
My parents used to be always
there for us.
What sparked my interest in sewing
is when I used to see my sister start
doing the work.
Everything single time when she was sewing
I would be coming next to her,
watching her, seeing what she's doing
but she was chasing me away.
My mom saw that
and she called my sister.
She said to my sister "You know what?
I can see this boy has a passion
for fashion.
You need to train this boy."
So, I move from the Congo to South Africa.
So, from South Africa I pursue my
studios, and you know life was not easy.
But I did what I was supposed to do,
and then after that I moved to Seattle.
I struggle a little bit becuase
when I came to this city
there was nobody who knew me.
I was only known in the African community.
I was thinking how I could break
this barrier. My dream was like
to have everybody wear my pieces,
but I was only stuck in my community,
and I decided to have a fashion show.
All the money I had in my bank
account. I used all the money for that
show, and some of my friends even
said to me, "Why are you spending all
this money for a fashion show?"
I said this is an investment
And when I did that show it was a
success, and after that I start getting
invintations to go to Portland,
to go to Boston, to go to
New York.
The big fashion was the beginning
of everything.
The process of my work is first
I get inspiration, and after getting
inspiration I will just draw it down.
After drawing it, then I will go
buy the fabric.
After buying the fabric, I have
to do a couple fittings, and after
doing that I am going to cut the
fabric, and sew it. So, the customer
will come for another fitting,
and after that fitting then I am
going to complete the garment.
During the pandemic, the business
was affected becuase so many
customers cancelled their orders
When I saw the situtation happening
I was like, I have to do something
for the community.
I designed some beatiful masks,
and many people purchased the masks.
So this is like one of them you can see
You can see there's trimming, and
inside it's really well finished.
It's really clean.
So I try to play around to see
what I can give to people,
and I am glad that people love it.
Many people are still buying it.
So that's what has kept me busy, and
that's what people like the most.
You have to make sure your shoes
have to match the belt.
I am able to do what people are
looking for. I am able to please my
customer, and every single time
I make a piece and the customer
is happy I am so proud, becuase
it's not easy to make someone
happy, becuase you don't know
what the feeling of the person.
To make something the customer is
happy it makes you go, wow,
I am really proud of my work.
Nothing is impossible. Anything
you want to get in life you can
get it. Just be focused,
work hard, and have discipline.