“I look back and I'm glad I didn't give up. The business has grown so much in a short time. I started to see the growth in October and I could've given up in May 2024. it was really tough.”
As Somizi navigates his fashion journey, he's drawing inspiration from renowned fashion designers such as Pharell Williams. He said he's started sketching for his first runway fashion show which he plans to showcase in September.
“I've always been interested in fashion and I knew one day I was going to venture into fashion but I didn't want it to be a fly-by-night, or, because I'm a celebrity I must take advantage of the status and sell T-shirts or merchandise.
“For me, it's taking the business seriously, that's why I decided to study. I know what the benefits will be. Already I speak the same language as my supplier, manufacturer and garment constructor. I am looking forward to entering high-end fashion spaces because I am creative.”
As for his other ventures, including his mobile kitchen, Somizi said his main focus is fashion.
“I believe in timing. I never do something I won't be a part of. Everything must feel right first. I am passionate about food but in terms of starting it as a business I am not there yet.
“My focus now is Sompire. In terms of my career, I just allow the universe to throw whatever it throws my way and I take it. If it's for me, I will know. I am in a comfortable place, emotionally, financially and mentally not to worry about what's going to happen to my career in the coming year.”
Somizi Mhlongo's dream of becoming a fashion designer takes shape after enrolling at elite school
'I am looking forward to entering high-end fashion spaces'
Somizi Mhlongo has been making waves in the fashion industry with his Sompire Kids line, but his ambitions extend far beyond his current success.
Determined to take his fashion brand to new heights, he enrolled at the prestigious Villioti Fashion Institute in 2024 on a mission to become a qualified fashion designer.
“I am proud of myself for enrolling and studying fashion design and I look at myself now. I cannot believe I attended full-time since January until now. The improvement I am experiencing is exciting,” he told the Sunday Times.
“In everything I have done I've been self-taught. Cooking, presenting, singing, dancing, acting, producing, directing. Everything has been self-taught. I was fortunate to have the wisdom to know when to learn something for a change and not assume everything is going to be self-taught. Fashion was that thing.”
When he launched his brand in 2023, Somizi showcased stylish pants, shirts and tracksuits for children and adults, but admits he almost gave up six months into the business when experiencing challenges.
“I was overstuffed and underprofiting. I was not making any profit at all. I only started making a profit in October, but I guess that's the name of the business. In the beginning you are tested on how much you want it. I had to scale down and be hands-on physically so I'm in a much better space now.
“I look back and I'm glad I didn't give up. The business has grown so much in a short time. I started to see the growth in October and I could've given up in May 2024. it was really tough.”
As Somizi navigates his fashion journey, he's drawing inspiration from renowned fashion designers such as Pharell Williams. He said he's started sketching for his first runway fashion show which he plans to showcase in September.
“I've always been interested in fashion and I knew one day I was going to venture into fashion but I didn't want it to be a fly-by-night, or, because I'm a celebrity I must take advantage of the status and sell T-shirts or merchandise.
“For me, it's taking the business seriously, that's why I decided to study. I know what the benefits will be. Already I speak the same language as my supplier, manufacturer and garment constructor. I am looking forward to entering high-end fashion spaces because I am creative.”
As for his other ventures, including his mobile kitchen, Somizi said his main focus is fashion.
“I believe in timing. I never do something I won't be a part of. Everything must feel right first. I am passionate about food but in terms of starting it as a business I am not there yet.
“My focus now is Sompire. In terms of my career, I just allow the universe to throw whatever it throws my way and I take it. If it's for me, I will know. I am in a comfortable place, emotionally, financially and mentally not to worry about what's going to happen to my career in the coming year.”
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