Sassy & Co

Meet The Woman Behind The Cover Of The July 2021 Issue Of Sassy & Co Magazine: The Amazing Failepou Peni

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Failepou Peni (otherwise known as Fai) is the director and founder of Pacific International Runway (PIR) – one of the most prominent Pacific/multicultural fashion companies. They source out established and emerging fashion designers from the Pacific Region to give them exposure to the mainstream fashion industry. They also teach basic fashion design in PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Australia and provides mentorship in the fashion industry. They always look for new faces within the modelling sector; collaborating with various groups, especially with the young generation to allow them to experience and work under various designers or anyone in the fashion industry.

Besides Pacific International Runway, Failepou is also the lead designer and stylist for the clothing brand “Lepou” as well as the director and licensee of Pacific Int RealEstate Pty Ltd – a company that provides mentorship by guiding people in their property investment journey. Her overall goal is to be the best she can ever be by sharing the gifts she has been blessed with. Her accomplishments include helping the young and mature know and understand mainstream fashion as well as guiding them to produce their first collection via the PIR platform. As the PIR founder, she has enabled herself plus 6 designers to represent their own culture (Samoa, Tonga, NZ, Cook Island, Solomon Island, and Australia) in Hollywood – their garments were showcased during the red carpet premiere for Disney’s Moana held in Hollywood, Los Angeles. She was a part of the team that took PNG textile printing to a new level by utilising their artistic skills and enabling them to design their own cultural prints on fabric, whether it be hand-printed or sublimation prints, transforming their skills into a sustainable income. She has also been helping many families buy their first homes, dating right back to 16 years ago, and now, she’s helping them build their portfolio in property investment by teaching them to become more financially secure.

Outside of work, she considers herself as just an ordinary person. She’s a devout Christian who loves Jesus with all of her heart – she considers Jesus as the core of her life. She also loves hanging out with her husband and kids, along with her extended family and friends. She believes that having a balanced life is important and she’s a firm believer in treating others as you would want to be treated. She doesn’t feel the need to look at what others are doing; she just focuses on what she can do because she knows her worth so she has no fear.

Sassy & Co magazine recently caught up with Failepou to discuss her journey in the fashion industry and here’s what went down:

How did you get into the fashion industry?

I started at the age of 11, helping my mother, Ane Fasavalu Saipaia, when she was a sewing teacher in New Zealand, Samoa, and Australia. Watching and admiring what she did made me want to get into the fashion industry.

What do you like most about being a designer?

Creating nothing into something, also creating garments where the wearer gets to wear the dress not the other way around, and seeing your clients get the wow factor not just the smile.

The downside to being a fashion designer?

For me, every designer is different. I personally enjoy and embrace the fashion industry with each challenge to transform difficulty into positivity. As a creator, you know your capabilities, your strength, and weaknesses. If you’re working on your weakness, then it becomes no longer a weakness because, without your weakness, you will not know your strengths. For me, a downside always becomes the upside.

What has been the most memorable experience of being in the fashion industry so far?

The very first fashion show that I directed was held at Campsie in the 1990s, that was when my husband had to drive all the way to Campsie from Fairfield to pick up my finale garment which was still being completed by my mother to be given to the model at the runway, it was a showstopper. it’s the most memorable experience that I will always remember for it was the last time that I would work together with my mother in creating this last piece and having a husband who journeyed with me then and now in this fashion industry. I have many memorable moments and experiences with a list of clients but this memory will always top them all.

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

The most interesting people that I have met would have to be the people of Papua New Guinea. The people of PNG are very creative, artistic and they have the willingness to learn and embrace knowledge about the fashion industry. I was blessed to be a part of taking this project of teaching the people of PNG.

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in the fashion industry. This can be about the industry or about yourself.

As a designer of fashion, you are the creator, as a creator, there are no limits. Understand your clients’ forecasts and trends. Knowledge is key to a successful path.

Is your family supportive of you being a fashion designer?

Yes, my immediate family grew up with fabric in their faces (laughs).

If you could go back in a time machine to the time when you were just getting started, what would you do differently?

The simple answer is to have the two greatest supporters in my life; having my mother, Ane Fasavalu Saipaia, and my sister Maisagamai Taoai with me today.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

Having Jesus Christ as my core.

What are your future plans? Inside your career or out of it.

Not only am I a fashion designer, but I am also a real estate licensee. My future plan is to encourage and empower anyone whatever age, culture, or profession. My advice for anyone is to continue to strive until you get what you want. if you fall, get back up again and keep going until it’s yours. You alone have the choice to decide your future. My plans will always be to live my life to its fullest, to who I was created to be.

5 Fashion Dos And Don’ts You Should Take Note Of In 2021

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When it comes to fashion, trends can be pretty predictable but the outcome can be a total disaster. Time and again, we have seen cringe-worthy fashion statements that never missed sharp biting comments from interested public, even famous celebrities get lambasted after a red carpet display of tragic fashion sense. But really, how does the fashion world define elegance and style?

The fashion world is a big open space where everyone expresses himself or herself with utter braveness. The only question now lies in what makes an unflattering wardrobe and what spells an elegant style choice. It can be a frightening place for someone who does not grow accustomed to fashion success so here’s a quick peek at how to avoid embarrassing fashion fails.

Fashion Do’s

Do wear bright and bold colours with equally expressive prints. Often, the fear of becoming a fashion victim is so consuming that people rather stay on the safe side. Remember that most of the time, even the most seemingly inappropriate match can turn out edgy and highly fashionable.
Do wear clothes that you are comfortable in regardless if it’s the latest trend or not. Fashion is a form of self-expression. How else do trends start if no one is brave enough to try them first?
Do invest in basic yet classic apparel. Buy white shirts, leggings, jeans, tights, black socks khaki pants, and black dresses. These pieces are timeless and never go out of style.
Do fall in love with great accessories, from shoes to jewellery, belts, bags, and clutches. Learn to mix and match each item, as they will help reinvent your clothes and give a totally different look even if you’re wearing the same outfit from your last event.
Do break fashion rules. Endless exploring brings the fashion world to where it is now. Do not be afraid to try different things. This might transform you into a fantastic social flower so wear whatever you want but don’t overdo stuff.

Fashion Don’ts

Don’t over-accessorise.
Don’t wear clothes just to please or impress others.
Don’t wear white at a wedding party if you’re not the bride. Surely, the last thing you would like to happen is to steal the special celebration.
Don’t show your undergarments and definitely, no bra straps exposure ladies. Fashion is evolving and that means strapless bras are in existence. Get them!
Don’t be the fashion faux pas. Always dress appropriately and never lose your sense of style.

Can you keep up with these fashion rules to be glamour-ready?

Meet The Entrepreneur Behind The Cover Of The June 2021 Issue Of Sassy & Co Magazine: Oogii Flower

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Artist Credit; Zol Ame

It never ceases to amaze us how much precious time most people waste trying to find that imaginary shortcut that’ll lead to massive wealth and entrepreneurial success when the only real way is staring them right in the face: genuine entrepreneurs who want to be successful in business needs to put in a lot of careful planning, research, and hard work – and that’s what Oyuntsetseg Olonbayar aka OOGII Flower has done over the years.

OOGII started her career at the age of 20, by getting a degree in Journalism. She then entered a competition that was searching for someone who would be a newsreader on Mongolian National TV. After a lot of effort and perseverance, she eventually won the contest, which is held every 14 years. Eventually, though, she realized that her passion was not really in being a newscaster but in fashion. So, she left journalism to focus more on fashion. This risky move has eventually paid off, as she has built one of the fastest-rising fashion empires. She went from creating glamorous and comfortable shoes to making exquisite handbags and now accessories. She has also expanded from an online business to a retail store in Japan and just recently in Mongolia.

Like many successful high-profile fashion designers, OOGII’s career has had a lot of highlights. For example, she got the chance to collaborate with Germani Jewelry to create a range of products for weddings. In addition, her high-quality designs have received positive comments from several customers. One of the most memorable feedbacks she has ever received was from footballer named Robbie Farah. Robbie gave her a really good review because he was impressed by the comfort of the shoes she makes. Fashion has also paved the way for her to meet a range of interesting people. For example, at a function celebrating International Women’s Day, she got to meet influential designer Carla Zampatti which is still one of the highlights of her career in fashion.

OOGII believes that the fashion industry can be difficult for people to get into. There are several things that designers need to learn before they can actually start making money from their designs such as learning to limit their production costs. You also need to have a realistic idea of how many products you’ll be able to sell while using the best materials. For example, OOGII uses sustainably farmed snake skins to create her shoes. By mastering this aspect in her business, OOGII has made it easier for her to produce more high-quality shoes at a comfortable pace. Despite her rapid rise to success, she hasn’t lost sight of the most important things in life. OOGII admits that she has been fortunate enough to get plenty of support from her friends and family. Her family and fiancé help keep her grounded and ensure that she continues to stay true to her values and beliefs.

Crossing from journalism to fashion has enabled OOGII to travel to many new places and meet inspiring people. Now that she’s on a roll – she has no intention of slowing down. She wants to start designing her own clothing label soon, as well as creating multiple new products. Brace yourself Australia, because OOGII is soon to take the Australian fashion scene by storm!

How To Dress Up Jeans: 5 Simple Ways To Make Your Denim Stand Out

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You couldn’t agree more that the most versatile bottom-buddies that are allowed to hug are legs are jeans. Okay, there might not be such a word as “Bottom-buddy” but it fits right? As long as it fits, there is always a place for it under the sun,

Like Jeans!

As long as it fits and as long as we can carry some style out of our pants then there would always be some new styles to cover and explore. Here are 5 new ways to make sure you stand out when wearing jeans!

Turtleneck Sweater + Paper Bag Jeans

Turtleneck sweaters are undoubtedly hot, not just literally but also in the fashion sense. Balancing the energy, turtleneck sweaters can be best friends with Paper Bag jeans to balance the tight-yet-comfy feels your top has and the flowy-yet-intact sensation your Paper Bag jeans provide. Striped turtleneck sweaters look sexier when tucked inside this type of jeans. Also have this combo partnered with your best heels or maybe a complementing hat!

Skinny Jeans + Light-Colored Shoes + Off-The-Shoulder Top

Not that I am a fan of the flowy effect but you should check this style out if you haven’t yet. Skinny Jeans give more emphasis to your legs and provides a little bit of a slimming effect while the off-the-shoulder top exposes your upper sexiness to a higher level. The light-colored shoes in this combination balances your style in between looking hot and being cool. You may add statement earrings and a matchy-matchy necklace as well. Sweet!

Straight Jeans + Striped Ruffled Cropped-top blouse.

A new way to wear the old-fashioned-yet-unshaken Straight Jeans is to wear them with a cropped-top blouse, which would be better with stripes. It might be hard to imagine but it works! No cropped-top blouse but have a normal blouse at home? Easy, a pair of scissors or shears can be your best friend! Just a little time to spend with manual tailoring and you’re all set! Flats would also complement the Straight Jeans to give it a casual and more dignified look.

Ripped Skinny Jeans + Plain white Tee + Blazer + Sandals

It’s such a great year for ripped jeans and sandals, isn’t it? Why not spice it up with a plain white tee and a blazer? I mean, come on! Imagine the fierce aura, girl! Plain tees give out the neutral vibes while a blazer would give the tee a respectable-looking companion. The combination of the tops you wear would balance the wild taste of the Ripped Skinny jeans and the sandals would keep you looking approachable while staying elegant. Awesome! Slay more!

Cropped Jeans + Graphic Tee + White Sneakers

Want to try out a fun-looking getup? Then this style might work great for you! Graphic Tees shows a lot more about yourself alongside statement shirts which would look awesome with cropped jeans too when paired with the right footwear. White graphic shirts and Black graphic shirts would both look absolutely stunning with white shoes, and the cropped jeans’ role is to make sure your footwear is emphasized. Make sure to invest in really good-looking shoes that do not necessarily have to be expensive, to show a playful style.

Once again, as long as it fits and as long as we can carry some style out of our pants then there would always be some new styles to cover and explore. Stay slayin’ slayer girl!

Fashion Designer To Watch Out For In 2021: Introducing The Talented Hasmik Danielyan

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Hasmik Danielyan has always been interested in harmony and in finding ways to weave looks together, blending and enhancing styles until the result elicits an emotional reaction. Her passion is to design timeless, feminine, and elegant looks for women who want to turn heads.

Hasmik feels that every woman should feel that her clothes elevate her refinement, allure, and confidence and she has this in mind as she is designing every piece. She likes to envision that the clothes she makes might be passed down through generations like people have done throughout history with truly special attire that carries a memory. She prefers clothes that defy trends and whose style and quality possess longevity. She hopes that her customers see the purchase of one of her garments as an investment rather than an impulse buy. She designs each unique piece from her sunlit atelier in Alicante, on the beautiful Mediterranean coast of Spain. There, she feels comfortable and free to release her ideas and inspirations, and transform them into Analogias designs. She considers all steps significant in the production of her products. She is in close communication with her sewers and trust that each piece will be made with the attention and tenderness it deserves.

Sassy & Co magazine recently caught up with Hasmik to discuss her journey in the fashion industry and here’s what went down:

Can you tell us more about what inspires you to be creative?

With the birth of my daughter came my greatest inspiration. Her entrance into the world gave me a newfound sense of connection and the desire to express it through fashion. I grew up in an artistic household, surrounded by all manners of art and expression and this formation can be seen in my designs.

The new presence of my beautiful daughter acted as the ignition of my vision. I suddenly felt impelled to design special clothes for her and for me, clothes that knitted us together even further. In the beginning, I did it just for us, to represent the intimate bond we shared externally, through color and texture. Clothes that I hope express my artistic vision of luxuriousness, sweetness, and the joy of having my little girl.

Seeing my daughter beside me, dressed as my little twin, gave me a sense of playfulness and joy. As we walked down the street or went about our day in our matching frocks, I noticed the charming looks of strangers. I saw smiles and looks of curiosity. People would approach us with tenderness and tell me how lovely and united we appeared. My designs even struck a chord with women who weren’t mothers. That is when I had the idea to make the experience available to everyone, and Analogias was born.

What do you like most about being a designer?

The creative process …every time I start to work on a new collection, the inspiration, and the final results seems so compelling…when you start on the mood board you yourself don’t know what will come out, the flow of the ideas seems extremely exciting.

Downside to being a fashion designer?

There isn’t. I adore my work and I put all my passion into it.

What has been the most memorable experience of being in the fashion industry so far?

I highly appreciate highly human relations so for me the most memorable experience is the privilege of meeting GREAT people.

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

Fashion is a chain work, we can’t function by ourselves, there are so many people behind every project so I can’t single out one person, I have met so many professionals in different fields that have continuously been the source of inspiration for me. It’s the people I work daily with.

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in the fashion industry. This can be about the industry or about yourself.

I suppose in every field to make your own way you need to have consistency and perseverance.

Is your family supportive of you being a fashion designer?

My family has been supportive throughout the whole journey. I think without their support I wouldn’t have reached where I’m now.

If you could go back in a time machine to the time when you were just getting started, what would you do differently?

Obviously, you make a lot of errors along the way but that’s the only way you LEARN…so I wouldn’t change anything. I appreciate my life lessons.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

From my mother: To achieve something, you need to wake up early and go to be late. Hard work is the key to success.

What are your future plans? Inside your career or out of it.

Obviously to expand my brand Analogias internationally.

Emerging Designer To Watch Out For In 2021: Introducing The Talented Mersi Nazanin

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Mersi Nazanin is an emerging designer who hails from Istanbul, Turkey. She was originally from Kerman, which is a small city in the south of Iran. Growing up, the sight of admiration towards people who devoted their lives to give humankind the privilege of living in peace and dignity inspired her to pursue her academic studies, so she graduated with a master’s degree in Criminal Law. Moreover, she has written two books in Persian. Due to her creative imagination and great passion for artworks, she has started painting her ideas since her childhood which led to holding an exhibition in Iran; however, it did not fulfill her dreams. That’s when she decided to attend a Fashion and Accessory Design Course, which was the first step towards her professional life in the fashion industry.

Sassy & Co magazine recently caught up with Nazanin to discuss her journey in the fashion industry and here’s what went down:

What do you like most about being a designer?

In this field, there are many opportunities, which means you can create a unique career path. Actually, it is the ability to create a vision with your own hands. In my opinion, one of the most interesting facts related to fashion designing is that you always have a chance to create something new, something more creative which can be totally different from others.

The downside to being a fashion designer?

Actually, I do not see any downsides to being a fashion designer. However, it is worth mentioning that regarding the high competition of this field, you always need to upgrade your fashion information, and that is what I love about it.

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in the fashion industry. This can be about the industry or about yourself.

One of the most valuable lessons that I have learned from life is to make the best of what I have! We have to love ourselves. Believe in ourselves and have self-confidence. Because when you create something, you will face various ideas and behaviors. Some people ignore your work and ideas, and some adore it. So don’t care and just follow your dreams. From my perspective, when you respect your ideas and your dreams, after a while, people will start following your thoughts too.

Is your family supportive of you being a fashion designer?

Yes, of course. My family and my husband always admire and support me to stay independent and be a successful woman.

If you could go back in a time machine to the time when you were just getting started, what would you do differently?

Well, if I could go back to a time machine, I preferred to study fashion at the university instead of law since during adolescence, I had much more free time, and it was easier to follow my dreams and achieve my goals.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

Live your life the way you want; you just live once, so do what you want and follow your dreams. Do not forget to Love yourself.

What are your future plans? Inside your career or out of it.

I believe that my characteristics, such as assertiveness, flexibility, commitment, and a spirit of teamwork, could help me through this journey. I know that I have the potentiality of being one of the bests in my field in the future, and there would be millions of people who use my innovations all around the world. I’ve planned to have my own fashion academy and sewing workshop to support people interested in working in this field because I have faced many people who took related courses but did not know how to start and find a suitable market for their sketches and works. Therefore I planned to have my own academy to help them from the beginning of the way and providing their market in my place and all the support they might need.

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Emerging Designer To Watch Out For In 2021: Introducing The Talented Isla Campbell

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Isla Campbell is the designer and maker behind Studio_icampbell.

Studio_icampbell is a small and sustainable fashion studio based in Cornwall. Her core principles are to produce high-quality garments designed with the functionality of workwear whilst upholding style and comfort, and she deliberately designs and develops her garments with time, care and consideration.

She’s inspired by the natural world and the people she meets to produce artistic yet functional workwear.

Her designs start as simple line drawings in a sketchpad, then morphed into patterns laid out on linen, in such a way as to minimise material wastage. When meticulously cut from the cloth and sewn together, these garments, made to last, may begin their life full of love and adventure outside the studio. The sustainable fabrics and earthy colours that she chooses are particularly important to her work as they inform her design process.

When you buy a piece from Studio_icampbell you can be assured of the quality and sustainability of my practice. The nature of the fabrics is such that it will change with time to embrace the uniqueness of the wearer’s body and its movements. So, as you live and change so too can your clothes. In this way, your clothes gather your life stories and become more fitting, more ‘yours’.

As another important element of her sustainable approach to designing workwear clothes, Studio_icampbell offers a bespoke mending service where you can bring your favourite pieces back to where they were made to be mended.

Sassy & Co magazine recently caught up with Isla to discuss her journey in the fashion industry and here’s what went down:

How did you get into the fashion industry?

Since GCSE’s I have always known that I wanted to be working with my hands and so I did work experience in both Interior Design and PR for Fashion Brands, working in the behind scenes of fashion I was able to go and work at LFW on three separate occasions. It was there that I saw the team of sempstress’ sewing before the show that I knew then I wanted to be the one making the garments.

What do you like most about being a designer?

Being able to design clothes that I myself would wear and then seeing these 2D sketches come to life when created in a unique fabric

The downside to being a fashion designer?

The downside is that it really never stops, I love keeping busy but as this is my own business there is always something to do…especially the business side and making sure that everything will run smoothly.

What has been the most memorable experience of being in the fashion industry so far?

Definitely when I went to Amsterdam having differed a year of uni after my second year to intern for 8 months for the couture designer Iris Van Herpen.

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

Other creators, I believe that collaboration is an integral part of my process and so I’ve worked alongside a number of really creative designs to create something totally unique.

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in the fashion industry. This can be about the industry or about yourself.

To trust yourself, that everything is a risk, whether it’s buying a roll of fabric for £200, it’s super important to know that no matter what you’ll make it work. And also to keep going, no matter what!

Is your family supportive of you being a fashion designer?

My mum and sister and brother are very supportive. My sister actually just got engaged this morning and she’s asked me to make her wedding dress.

If you could go back in a time machine to the time when you were just getting started, what would you do differently?

I would have looked for my own shop from the start, and also do a business module…but there’s still time for that.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

From my experience in Amsterdam, I was told to never be scared to ask questions or ask for help.

What are your future plans? Inside your career or out of it.

With this upcoming new shop, I hope to make a name for myself as a slow fashion Designer in Cornwall. I would really like to move more into creating unique bespoke clothes that are made to measure and continue to explore sustainable fabrics. I also really want to move into menswear clothes as most of my designs and fabric choices are gender-neutral.

Emerging Designer To Watch Out For In 2021: Meet The Talented Meiyu Song

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Meiyu Song was originally born in China, but grew up in Japan – she’s Korean Chinese. She moved to London in 2012, studied for 6 years in Central Saint Martins and she just graduated from University. She’s an emerging designer to watch out for in 2021.

Sassy & Co recently caught up with Meiyu to discuss her brand and here’s what went down:

How did you get into the fashion industry?

My mum was a fashion designer. So since I was young, I was always interested in fashion and arts. She recommended that I go and study in Central Saint Martins which I think was the best decision I ever made.

What do you like most about being a designer?

I think being a designer means you can express your feeling and conviction not just by words also by work. Often, I found it’s difficult to tell everything by words to other people so I think this is the best way to express who I am.

Also, of course, I’m simply just enjoying the making and designing process. All of my stuff is hand made so the process itself will take a really long time. It could be physically very tiring but mentally feeling good once it’s done.

The downside to being a fashion designer?

Long work hours. I think it will depend on what kind of designer you want to be. Personally, I like designing both textiles and silhouettes by myself. I don’t really like using already existing designs. So I make everything from scratch which will be a long process.

I understand why fast fashion exists but I want to create the trend, be a real designer not just copy other people’s work. So although it’s a long process, I believe it’s worth it. I also believe that each collection’s concept is very important. Of course, fashion is about the visual so I need to make it visually beautiful and interesting but at the same time, if there is no meaning (concept) behind it, it will be so shallow and meaningless. We, designers can use our collection to send other people messages so why not do so?

Another downside will be the people. Honestly speaking not everyone in this industry is nice. It’s a very competitive industry so sometimes you have to deal with mean people. When I was a young teenager I thought “The Devil Wears Prada” was just a film so they over-exaggerated the fashion industry but soon I realised that they really didn’t. Actually, the director was being very generous.

What has been the most memorable experience of being in the fashion industry so far?

My whole time in CSM. I saw how much people work. How passionate people are. It’s quite scary to know that it’s so normal to work 3 days without sleep before the deadline. Also, during my BA course (3years) except for a long vacation, I only went out with my friends or family about 5 times? I spent every single minute on my textiles and fashion.

Another thing will be London Fashion Week. I was an intern for APUJAN a few years ago. On the actual show, that was so busy and so many things going on. That was definitely a great experience.

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

Alice Wellbeloved. She was my tutor for the short course and foundation course. She works for high-end fashion brands such as Sonia Rykiel. She is a super energetic, lovely, and clever person. At the same time, she is very honest and says things in a very straightforward way. Some people say she is harsh but I absolutely loved it because she is always on point and it’s very easy to understand. Also, I didn’t pay for going to school to make friends with my tutors. What I needed was someone who could push me and make me learn things. I completely trust her; even when I did my Master’s course I used to contact her.

Although she wasn’t my tutor anymore she did give me so many important suggestions, opinions and helped me mentally. I was also her assistant tutor for Central Saint Martins’ summer course. She was a really nice boss as well. I just simply learned so much from her.

Another person will be Derek Lawlor. I did an internship for him. Although, we have totally different styles. I love colours. My collection is always full of colours but he tends to use black and white only.

However, I learned a lot of things from him and he was a very nice and kind boss. Not only did I learn a lot of skills from him, but he also did answer all of the questions I was curious about.

Right before the fashion show, I had to do a bit of overtime working but I was very happy to do it. He is kind of the boss who makes you feel you want to be part of his team and make the collection better and better.

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in the fashion industry. This can be about the industry or about yourself.

DIY skills. Not sure about other schools but CSM is definitely not the place to learn “skills/ techniques”. They make you think. Make you learn by yourself.

In this industry, I learned that nothing is impossible. Just DO it.

Is your family supportive of you being a fashion designer?

As I mentioned before because my mum was a fashion designer, my family is very supportive. I also have a lovely supportive husband. Without their support, I couldn’t do it.

If you could go back in a time machine to the time when you were just getting started, what would you do differently?

Probably, I will do more internships. Unfortunately, most of the UK fashion brands don’t pay intern students but you will learn a lot from them so I think it’s definitely worth trying.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

Never give up. Nothing is impossible.

What are your future plans? Inside your career or out of it.

I want to work for few high-end fashion brands for a few years first then make my own fashion brands.

Emerging Designer To Watch Out For In 2021: Meet The Talented Menna Angharad Evans

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Menna Angharad Evans is a 21-year-old designer who’s located in South Wales. She’s currently in her third and final year of studying Fashion Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Her brand “naturesthreadss” follows on from her graduate collection Gypsy Soul. As a designer, she’s heavily inspired by nature. Growing up, her childhood was spent with her horses, surrounded by the most beautiful things found in nature. She spent many days creating and exploring, making dens in the ferns, running barefoot with handmade flower crowns in her hair, and simply feeling free and happy. She has fond memories of hours spent exploring the countryside, the feeling of freedom and connection to nature flows naturally within her. This way of living taught her to appreciate the beauty of the natural world, teaching her to make use of what she has around her and to source naturally and sustainably. Connecting her childhood to that of the Romany Gypsy’s, her collection Gypsy Soul is based around the life of the Romany Gypsy’s, taking inspiration from their free-spirited souls and love for nature. Their freedom to travel, explore new places, and live a slower pace of life truly resonated within her. Inspired by the Gypsy way of ‘making something from nothing’, She has sourced materials she free-spirited to create unique designs. She simply sees the beauty in sustainability, therefore her designs within her collection are focused upon giving discarded items a new purpose. Re-using found objects repeatedly through numerous textile techniques. Her designs are very textile-based, using traditional techniques such as macrame, crochet, natural dyeing, and felting to create beautifully handcrafted designs. The main focus of her collection is to create little to no waste through her design processes, textile-based garments are made with great care and precision. Her fabrics are primarily up-cycled, sourced from pre-owned cotton linen, giving her garment a free-flowing, relaxed silhouette. Natural dyes add another element to her cloth using the technique of rusting to add another layer of texture and achieving a unique print.

Sassy & Co recently caught up with Menna and here’s what went down:

How did you get into the fashion industry?

Growing up I was always encouraged to be creative, my mum is very creative herself so inspired me to have a go at lots of different arts and crafts. My attic has always been “mum’s sewing room” and it is full to the brim with fabrics, trims, and everything I ever wanted, giving me the freedom to make anything. I have fond memories of using scraps of fabric, cutting them up & tying them around myself, making different dresses for myself to walk up and down the room as if it was my catwalk. I will always remember my mum telling me that art could never be wrong, nobody could ever say what I made was wrong and that I could truly make whatever I wanted. I loved that. Once I was in comprehensive, I then began to have textiles lessons, which I absolutely loved as it was a lesson that I felt really confident in because my mum had taught me to sew years prior. After school, I knew that I wanted to proceed on to something textiles-based, fashion just seemed perfect for me as I just loved working with different fabrics and textile techniques to create something beautiful.

What do you like most about being a designer?

What I like most about being a designer is the freedom I have to create whatever I want. Like my mum said, nothing I make can ever be wrong and that’s truly just beautiful.

What do you like most about being a designer?

For me, the downside to being a fashion designer would be people taking my work for granted and not noticing the time and care that goes into making my garments. My designs are very textiles-based, meaning they take an incredible amount of time to create. Often people don’t realise the time that one simple t-shirt could take to make let alone a handcrafted dress.

What has been the most memorable experience of being in the fashion industry so far?

Being a beginner within the fashion industry I have not yet had many major experiences. But something that stands out for me as an achievement within my fashion design journey so far would be my mini collection I created in my second year. This was the collection for me that really made me fall in love with what I do. Before then I had found it extremely difficult to find my true aesthetic, I honestly felt lost and out of place on my fashion course. But within my mini collection, I really focused on my textiles & I discovered what I loved most! This collection then went on to inspire my Graduate Collection.

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

The most interesting people I have met through the fashion industry would be my fellow fashion designers. I would say fashion has quite the stigma of being a clicky industry but from my experience, I have met the most genuine people within this industry through social media (Instagram). I’ve had nothing but positive support and the kindest messages about my work and I feel that it is such an inspiring industry to be a part of.

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in the fashion industry. This can be about the industry or about yourself.

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned would be to keep going. I find the process of making & designing garments can be daunting at times. I’m a perfectionist, I love adding finishing touches and finalising designs but the period of time when my work is half-finished can be very difficult. It’s sometimes hard to see past the half-finished garments in front of me and vision how it will look once finished and sometimes this can cause a lack of motivation. So, the most valuable lesson I’ve learned so far is just to keep going, even if you feel anxious about how your work looks just know that it will all work out in the end!

Is your family supportive of you being a fashion designer?

Yes!! As previously mentioned my mum is extremely creative herself, she loves seeing my work and often helps me with my fashion work, she always says she wishes she could be doing my course too!!

If you could go back in a time machine to the time when you were just getting started, what would you do differently?

I don’t think I’d do anything differently. Of course, there are certain garments I look back on and think “oh my gosh what was I thinking” but once I take a step back I realise despite disliking the garment my aesthetic has most definitely developed from it initially. Everybody starts somewhere and I am very happy with where I am now so no I wouldn’t change anything.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

The best advice I have ever been given is to be true to yourself as a designer. Make sure that your project is something that you’re truly interested in, something that really inspires you. A collection doesn’t happen overnight it’s something that you will be spending months on, so it has to be something you have a genuine interest in! Make the collection true to yourself and the experience will be much more enjoyable than doing choosing something just because you’ve seen somebody else do it.

What are your future plans? Inside your career or out of it.

I plan to develop my brand from my Graduate Collection and create my own sustainable business. I would like to create one-off garments as well as homeware and accessory pieces. With my brand, I’d like to collaborate with other creatives and offer classes and talks about my textile and sustainability process behind my brand. I am so excited for the future and am ready to take any opportunity!

In Photos: Here’s Looking Back At The 2021 Australian Multicultural Fashion Festival

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The (AMFF) Australian Multicultural Fashion Festival brought together the modelling and fashion industry last March 2021 at the luxurious PIA Grand Auditorium. The magnitude of originality and fashion design excellence at this event definitely stayed with us.

Everyone walked away from the show with a new respect for the diverse cultures and their innovative designers. Each of the remaining highlights were riveting to partake in and further enhanced the AMFF experience. This event was brought to you by AMBN (The Australian Millionaires Business Network), The Millionaire Alliance, The Multicultural Business Centre, StarCentral Media Group powered by the Poperty Investors Alliance, Aland, Deicorp, Villoni Boutique, Lepou, Lux Modelling & Fashion Academy, International Fashion & Beauty, Model & Mode magazine, Sassy & Co magazine and The Australian Millionaire Magazine.

These were the highlights of the night: Fashion Show featuring PIR CEO Fai Peni’s collection – Lepou, Villoni Boutique, Leatheron, Visage Boutique, Belle Epoque, and The Silky Lane.