Fashion Friday - Focus on Cyril Designs

I have always maintained that Bulawayo has got talent and this week on Fashion Friday we feature a young designer who has made me question if Gert Coetze is indeed my favourite African designer.

He is a twenty – year old wonder who goes by the name Cyril Designs and below is his story.

    So who is Cyril Designer?

I am Cyril K Gopoza, born in the year 1995.My brand name is Cyril Designs.

    Have you always had a passion for fashion?

I started loving designing after being inspired my mum who was a tailor and my best friend Tendai Tuber who is also a local designer.

I have always been a smart and stylish young man and it is very easy for me to adapt to the latest fashion trends.

It’s like I was born to do this so fashion runs through my blood and I live for it and it lives through me.

    Ok so what motivated you to pursue your love for designing and not get into other professions?

Well I realised that I had a great passion and love for designing from hearing people’s comments and reactions when they saw some of the things I had designed for myself.

    Did you go to school to study designing or you are self taught?

After finishing my O’ Level in 2012 I went to study Cutting and Designing at Speciss College for a year, but I had been designing from way back. I then got my certificate and opened a shop in town where I am currently working from now.

    Your designs are they for everyone or you only cater for certain people?

I design for both males and females, I do not specialise hey.

    What are the challenges you come across in your industry?

Meeting a lot of people with different needs and as a designer you have to adapt to them give them all the customer care they need. And there is less material in Zimbabwe which limits my creativity

   What is your advice to a young person reading this who would love to be in the fashion industry?

Love and passion is everything in this industry.

Cyril Designs dresses some of the City Of Kings’ musical talents that include Hip – Hop sensation Cal – Vin and Afro – Pop crooner MJ Sings.

This young designer is very talented and with his attitude and love for fashion he will go places.

MJ Sings

Cal _Vin

He operates from Sindu House which is at corner Five Avenue and Herbert Chitepo Street and his shop is on the second floor.

Choose to look different from the rest by visiting this shop and support this local designer.

I most definitely will because I have a feeling Cyril Designs will soon blow up and I want to get my hands on his merchandise while it is still affordable.....

God Is Love

Emma