How did your journey into fashion begin?
My career famously began in 2008 when I debuted my designs for both women and men under the brand name Sheria Na Mavazi in Mysore, India. 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. I decided to focus on one gender at a time to ensure that I put my all into each of the collections and the women’s collection is on the way.
Where would you be if it wasn’t for fashion?
Before I came back to the fashion business, I was studying law in India. But I never practised law. I have always loved being 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.
Your inspiration comes from?
So many sources, but it primarily comes from my late father who was an incredibly stylish man. It often evolves out of seeing a single button, 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. My favorite and most inspirational period is the early twentieth century. 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. I love that period.
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Your best and worst fashion buy?
Worst fashion buy would probably be pocket squares with all-white instead of going with some color which is totally unacceptable. Because pocket squares direct everyone’s eyes to your chest, not your stomach. Pocket squares are meant to complement, not match. Best fashion buys would have to be: Saint Laurent straight-leg jeans, everyone knows that a good wardrobe is built on a solid foundation of staple pieces, and one of the most important of those sartorial essentials is denim; Thom Browne round-frame optical glasses; Alexander McQueen bi-color monk strap shoes; men’s fragrance, Tom Ford’s Oud Wood.
What would your ultimate achievement be?
Opening a flagship store along Savile Row, right beside the most reputable tailors in the world.
Career highlight?
As soon as I was officially announced as the official
designer for Tanzania’s men’s football team suits in 2013.
How long did your 2013 Mercedes benz fashion week africa (MBWFA) collection take to put together?
It took three months to put together. The first time I saw everything put together I finally said, ‘Oh my God, it works!’ Because it has been a long process, when it is finished you think, ‘Finally, it is done!’
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