Wednesday March 12, 2014

MEET BRIAN MANASEH, THE YOUNG FASHION DESIGNER AT CRYSTAL PALACE FASHION HOUSE IN KISUMU

So after I decided to go into this artist profiling initiative, the first two people I have been able to sit down and talk to at length have been fashion practitioners. The first as you know by now was the talented Taib Nyamenya who shared his experience with us at length. Brian Manaseh is another equally promising upcoming fashion designer. 

His works bring out the elegance of the African fabric widely known as Ankara in both casual and semi-official wear. His influences as you will find out below are West African, Nigerian specifically. Having been present at events where he has showcased his works in the past, I have witnessed the popularity he has gained among fellow students as a result of his works at Maseno University where he is currently in the second year of his Interior design course.

Brian with one of her models at a past fashion event.

TG: When did you start taking your abilities seriously as a fashion designer?

Brian: While still back in high school I realized that how I dressed had an edge to it. My friends would seek my advice on how to dress to different occasions and after time I decided to take this seriously to start making my own designs and selling them and not just styling people alone. After I cleared high school I took this more seriously and the rest as I am saying is history in the making.

TG: What has your experience as an emerging fashion designer in Kisumu been like so far?

Brian: For me I think I still have a long way to go. I am just starting out now, where I am headed is far much more important. But it is an honour to be talented along this line. Everyone wants to dress well. I can help people do that.

TG: In what ways have you used your edge as a stylist and fashion designer to better yourself, apart from the normal sales of your clothes and services?

Brian: Being a stylist and a designer requires that one is ever spontaneous though premeditating produces more refined designs. My creative process is always transforming to a better state each day. I have started blogging about my experiences and views as a fashion practitioner. I have also had to work on my networking skills. It is important to know how to introduce yourself to new people in a manner that appeals to them so that they can look forward to work with you.

A male model rocking some of Brian's works.

TG: Have you linked up with any other artists? Collaborations?

Brian: Yes, one of the most prominent fashion practitioners I have had the pleasure to work with is a Nigerian female designer called Alice who specializes as you would expect, in West African attires (westafricanattires@gmail.com). I have also met a number of both established and upcoming fashion designers in Kisumu like Taib Nyamenya. There is great potential in most of these guys. Challenges are many for an upcoming fashion designers in a place like Kisumu though.

TG: The challenges that upcoming artists and creatives based in Kisumu face are apparently many. Have you had your fair or unfair share of these?

Brian: If people in Kisumu appreciated fashion like other people in Nairobi and Lagos do for example, then challenges like resources, and a market for my works would be greatly reduced. The reason why people like me don’t grow that fast in Kisumu I think  is because out of the demographic of Kisumu residents, it is the young people who are most concerned about how they dress and style. It is these very young people who are unemployed and broke most of the times. The middle class in Kisumu unlike Nairobi and many other cities across the world are not that fashion conscious. People try to dress well, though you will agree with me that none of them seek the advice of professional stylists and designers like me. The case is very different in Nairobi. I am constantly networking through the internet and events with creative people and art lovers in Kisumu and other places in order to be able to reach a broader market.

Female models wearing some of  Brian's work at a past fashion event in Maseno University

TG: Fashion is all about preference. As such, competition is stiff if you haven’t built your name in the industry. Designers who are still taking simple baby steps encounter stiff competition from the established ones. How do you handle this?

Brian: You will be surprised that I haven’t met as much competition in my line of design here in Kisumu as I had expected when I was starting. But that is not something to be proud of.  As a designer I have to make works that will captivate clients and make them proud to be associated with me. That is how I have won the preference of my loyal clients so far. Comfort-zoning and sitting pretty won’t take my career to the places I intend to. So basically the two things I am doing now are networking and hardworking.

TG: Last year you opened a place in town to display your works. Tell us about it plus your other achievements.

Brian: Yes, the shop where I display my works, Crystal Palace is located at the shopping place just adjacent to Varsity Plaza. I intend to make it the biggest fashion house in Kisumu with time. To market it, I have a page on Facebook with the same title. The shop has been open since February 2013. Some of the clothes I have designed have also featured in the dailies under the fashion segments. Last year I also worked with a London based model who was around Kisumu called Achieng Nani.

TG: Who are your support base?

Brian: My mom. She is the most supportive person I have around me.  It’s an honour to have someone like your mother let you do what you like. You’d be surprised she even styles me at times.

TG: What are you currently working on?

Brian: I am trying out color blocking and color blogging as techniques I can fuse into my designs. I am also working with the team at Kisumu Fashion Week. They are doing a good job.

TG: Who do you look up to in the fashion industry in Africa and globally.

Brian: South African David Tlale. Oluchi of Nigeria too.

To reach Brian, you can call him on 0702930382 or through his Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/brian.manase2?fref=ts