Natasha Theresa Kagoro is a 20-something emerging fashion
designer based in Harare, and one whom I got the lucky opportunity to interview
face-to-face on my first one-on-one interview with any individual for that
matter. Our location was Bannie’s restaurant within the NSSA building along Sam
Nujoma/Second street extension, on a sunny (beautiful) mid Monday morning. I
wanted to know the lady behind the label Black Excellence, which showcased a
very elegant collection at last year’s FWZ 2013 held at the Borrowdale
Racecourse. I had only seen Natasha backstage that evening but this was the
first time I actually got to meet her. Our interview was an eye-opener and at
the same time very intriguing! It was like catching up with an old friend
(Natasha’s words by the way), to which I concur to as well. I sure hope to
create a very strong friendship with her because this is the first designer I
met who was very open and honest from the get-go. I might not share every
detail of our meet-and-greet but I will try and cover as much ground as possible
to let you in on the experience.
And here it is:
Describe yourself in
5 quick words
Mother, Entrepreneur, Crazy, Hardworker and Dedicated
Now tell me who is
Natasha Theresa Kagoro
Natasha Kagoro is a designer, farmer and a Beauty and Body
Therapist by profession; nickname being “Tessa”. I studied Beauty therapy at
Cindy’s Beauty Parlour right here in Harare in Greendale and I studied Body
Therapy for one year in Durban, South Africa at The Beauty Specialist Training
Academy. As a body therapist I cover reflexology, aroma therapy and body
massage.
And school wise?
I grew up in America from 1992-1999 in New York City and so
I did my primary education there and when I came back home I enrolled into
Westridge High School and then later I went to Speciss College for two years
before later enrolling into Beauty Therapy.
*Furthermore, Natasha shared a bit of her life struggles,
which I found to be very touching and inspiring, and with her permission I’m
going to share. She was once a cross boarder trader, yes when times turned for
the worse in Zimbabwe in 2008, she shared how she wanted to make ends meet as a
single parent by turning to cross-boarder trading. A lot of you must know that
cross-boarder trading is a risky and dangerous business, travelling at least
four times a week and at strenuous hours between Botswana and South-Africa
(Natasha noted mainly Botswana at the time due to no visa application). She
also talked about how she was a carpenter at one point whilst living on her own
in South-Africa after Therapy school, and actually helped with the carpentry
work in the apartment building that she was residing in at that time. Looking
at this, carpentry work is mainly a male designated work field with a lot of
manpower, and you can imagine the dust from carving wood. When she shared this
I joked about how she has a little experience in home décor, but for her it was
more of a hustle.*
So tell me, who are
you as a designer?
I’m a designer who is very hard working. I had always been a
designer since as a young girl thanks to my mother (Mrs. Patricia Parwada), who
is a French Tailor by profession that studied in New York. Designing and sewing
had always been there but it was just something on the side for me, that I just
did at home. I didn’t think I would venture into designing until only last year
when I entered Fashion Weekend Zimbabwe with a little push from my brother’s
girlfriend (musician Vera). I didn’t take it seriously at first nor did I think
I would be shortlisted, but then one day I received a confirmation letter and
that’s how it all started. Black Excellence officially launched for the first
time in April 2013.
Wow! 2013 sounded
like a pretty good year for you, launching in April and then a few months later
you showed your collection at FWZ 2013. I only have one question for you;
describe 2013 in one word?
EXPLOSIVE!
*At this point
I’m loving how our conversation is flowing, so much so that we forget our
drinks in front of us*
Ok before going back
to you as a designer, tell me what FWZ was like for you?
It was tough and great at the same time. It was tough in the
sense that it required hard work and dedication whilst at the same time I’m
also juggling being a mother to my daughter. It was also great because I made
new friends with fellow designers through our workshops and conferences. I’ve
become very close to each and every one of them and we constantly stay in
touch. (Fellow designers being Samantha Matemadombo, Tanya Mushayi, Edmond
Chikumbirike, Samantha Dika and Nyasha Nhutsve).
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| Some of Natasha's designs from FWZ. |
What inspires you as
a designer?
I really have no
particular inspiration; it just comes at that moment in time. I will start
something with a rough sketch and then with time it will just continue to
evolve and take its own form, coming straight from the heart. But I like to always
stay with the theme of the label which is Simplistic Elegance. Another thing I would
like to point out is my mom; I think my mother is my biggest inspiration due to
her knowledge in sewing, tailoring and design. I really didn’t go to design
school or cover any design course because everything I needed to know and that I
learned came from my mother. So to really sum it up I think she is my biggest inspiration.
Other factors I also look at is the fabric choice, I can
completely create a piece just from my fabric choice; it all depends with my
mood.
And your personal
style as a designer? How would you describe it?
Really simple and laid back. I’m just sneakers, jeans and a
vest and I’m good to go!
And your pet peeve as
a designer?
Ok I will just put it out there; I don’t think it’s
necessary to dress up to go to the supermarket to buy bread or something! It’s
not necessary to wear a maxi dress just to buy bread, that’s one thing I find
unnecessary. I also think young people should stop copying celebrities because
celebrities have a marketing strategy to their clothing and fashion on a day to
day basis.
Since 2013 was a
starting point for Black Excellence, what can we expect from the label in 2014?
Hmm... I have three ladies collections planned out just for
this year and I started the first collection late last year. I’m also working
on opening the label’s first boutique close to the CBD area in Harare by end of
January. It will carry the label and other emerging designers to showcase their
material. My plan is to make it a centre for tailored clothing by incorporating
other designers and selling them at a very affordable price for the
fashion-loving individual. There is soo much raw talent out there that just
goes unnoticed.
Other than the label, I also have a side project collaboration
with Tariro Negatire (@tarironegitare) whom is very dear because she proudly
wears some of my designs for her shows. It’s called Acoustic Fashion Night
which is a joint quarterly event that Tariro and myself host at the Zimbabwean
German Society. Our first show was in December 2013, which I must say was a
great turnout. I take care of the fashion part of the show which is the
showcase, clothing, designers and the models whilst Tariro co-ordinates the
music, band and artistes. So it’s a great collaborative venture, and what I love
about it is it focuses on young designers. So it’s all in good fun with an
acoustic fusion.
You mentioned a
Ladies collection, are there any plans for a men’s collection in 2014?
Depends on the mood…will see.
So back to you once
again, I want to know who is your absolute style icon?
Christian Dior! I love his original silhouette of the women’s
fashion from the 1950s and 1960s. It’s probably my most favourite fashion era.
*Me and her have something in common, we both adore the
1950s and 60s era. I think it was the best fashion era of all time that really
defined a woman’s silhouette*
And what is your most absolute must-have
fashion accessory at the moment?
Chunky Bangles! I love chunky bangles and/or bracelets! I believe
the more stacked on, the better.
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| Stacked Bracelets Natasha was wearing during our interview. |
Before we round up, I
want to know if you have any philosophies that you live by?
I’m really a blunt, straightforward and honest person so for
me honesty is very important. I like good criticism because I personally think
it is constructive and it builds you. Responsibility for me is also a very key
element especially since I’m a company owner. I try my level best to be a responsible
businesswoman to my family, community and potential clients. I also strongly believe
in giving back; my mother always tells me in order to achieve success and be
successful you must give back to those who need it the most. Even if it’s just
a small piece of advice or helping someone out, I always strongly feel like
giving back is just as important as receiving something because it will always
come back to you. And prayer! You really can’t forget to turn to God in any
situation.
Last but not least, what do you think needs to
be done to change our Zimbabwean Fashion Industry and further elevate it to
international standards?
Ok, the fashion
industry is cutthroat! I’ve seen it. Designers compete with other designers,
models can be catty and bloggers want the best story. So really it takes a
whole combination of everyone to contribute in a positive manner so that the
industry benefits and not just the individual themselves. I think there is need
to re-focus ourselves, try to understand what we are working for and why we are
even working in fashion to begin with. Egos need to be set aside and that
includes our differences; no stereotyping whatsoever! I’ve noticed a lot of
people tend to rush their fashion dream, but I believe in taking baby steps. I mean
look at me I’m in my late 20s but I started sewing in high school! So taking
your time and building yourself and your brand is very important. And finally branching
out- a lot of people know Zimbabwean fashion under Harare. What about Bulawayo,
Gweru, Mutare and even Masvingo?! They all fall under Zimbabwe. Yes I know
resources maybe scarce but at least connecting with other regions or individuals
in those regions is always a good start.
*ENDS*
So this is Natasha Theresa Kagoro of Black Excellence. She is
a daughter, sister, mother and an emerging designer. I’m very proud to say this
was my first candid, one-on-one interview, and just by spending two hours with
her I learnt a lot that I hadn’t imagined. This is one of many growing
designers in our country and I would love for you to read and get acquainted with
our amazing fashion, as much as I had enjoyed interviewing her and documenting
this.
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| Natasha's sophisticated ensemble for our interview. A green sleeveless cowl blouse with those brown structured pants i loved from FWZ. |
To contact Black Excellence and Natasha herself, check out
the following links;
Yours in Glamour,
ST
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