 This is the way to do it. This is the way to do it. This is the way to do it. This is the way to do it. Have you ever wondered what your career would look like after school? In today's program, we have Desmond Ominde with a unique turn in his career. Desmond, welcome to the program. Tell us a bit about yourself. Thank you very much. I'm Desmond Ominde. I'm a fashion designer based in Kisumu. I work for a brand called the Spock Fissure. The Spock Fissure is a tailor made company that deals with the tailored outfits. We deal with bespoke suits, that is for both ladies and gents. We also do these dresses for ladies, the Gitenga and the matching outfits for couples. They cooperate shirts and uniform. So, give us a backstory. How did you start as a fashion designer? Is it something you studied for Amakuli and that? For me fashion is all about, it's more of passion. I started fashion that is back in school. So, that was a transition from high school to college then, not to my life in general. So, back in high school I used to, I was this guy who normally used to put on the blazers all the time, being that I was a school captain. So, from there I went to also college. College I used to be on mostly suits. So, most of my friends' school in Kwaewu, where did you get these suits from? So, the interest just grew day by day until when I was out of school I said now let me take a turn and venture into my passion. So, it has been a transition, mastering the craft, learning the craftsmanship, how to stitch and how to do how to source for my fabrics. Till now. Wow, you've talked about taking a turn. What did you turn from and now into fashion design? Yes, I did applied biology and some under human resources. So, when I was in school I was this biology guy who was so much in love with fashion. So, in most cases people used to wonder what am I doing in a biology class? So, the passion in me grew day by day because how I used to put on, it really influenced me into doing fashion and design. So, after school I said let me now venture into these. Well, this field is mostly dominated by women. So, how did you decide to venture into it as a man? You know, as a designer you are selling image and meaning people buy from whatever they see. And when you are walking outside they are selling the image, people will buy from whatever they see. So, from whatever I put on that made me grew so much into this. So, I said now let me just do this despite the fact that ladies are doing the Ketangaya and the classes. Let me be the gentleman who is doing the suitings. It also gives you an advantage. So, what plan do you have for the applied biology that you studied? At the moment, I have no plans. Why? My love for fashion has really grown so high. I really want to take this brand to a bigger level. So, I really have to focus on this. So, do you intend to maybe try in the biology department or are you never going back? I'm never going back but I think there is a connection in between. Because it doesn't matter whatever you learn. There are some skills that you acquire and also impact in your business. Because despite the fact that I'm doing the stitching of the clothes, I'm also managing a business. So, the HR management? The HR management, the communication skills, I talk to my clients, I serve them best. That's nice. So, you've spoken about bespoke official. What are the tendencies of that? So, bespoke official, one bespoke is something tailored, something crafted from scratch. So, bespoke, the term bespoke came from Italy. So, most of those suits made from Italy, they are bespoken suits. So, something made in Kenya, let's say in fashion in general, we have three types of outfits. We have the bespoke, we have the tailored to measure and off the rack. So, somebody goes to a shop to buy any outfit that person goes off the rack. It made to measure, we take your measurements, then you go according to your measurements. Bespoke is more of hand stitching that takes time and it's very detailed. So, that's why I love something bespoke, something detailed, something well crafted. That's why I went for bespoke. How the official, or let it be more of official, let it be more of corporate. So, let's talk about your outfit. What type is it? Is it bespoke or is it tailored or off the rack? Well, with my case, I normally put on bespoke. I love something detailed, something fitting. So, something that comes well with the body. Because when you are doing a suit, there are very many factors to consider. I normally call them the three apps. That is the one, the fabric, the fit, the fit, FIT, the function. So, where the fabric must be right, the fit must be right, then you also have to, you know when you are putting on a suit, it is an intended purpose for that. Where do you want to go with this suit? That's where the function of the suit comes in. And what about this one? Is it the same bespoke, off the rack? This is also bespoke. It's a pinstripped suit. These are for corporates. We normally call them power suits. So, mostly these guys on the corporate ladder, the lawyers, you have to have such kind of a suit. And what about this? Can a lawyer wear this? Yes, a lawyer also can do this. The MDs, the directors, they can also put on such kind of a suit. Wow. So, you've talked about doing suits, doing tenges and the corporate wear. Why did you choose to do that type of fashion instead of different other kinds? Okay, one, I love what I'm putting on. Then, most of people really appreciate whatever I'm putting on. So, if somebody can buy whatever I'm putting on, then why should I make it perfect? Why should I not produce the product myself? So, I normally sell whatever I can do perfectly. There's this thing. Mutua kiva suti ya ni muhe shimiwa and there's money involved. Is it the same case with you? Yes, some little money, but it doesn't really matter. Anybody can put on a suit, depending on where you are going with it. I love how you touched on the, maybe the what? You said the printed lines, how did you call them? The pin strip. The pin strip. Where do you source that material from? Okay, most of all, we have locally, we source locally. Then, most of all, these are the high-end suits we get from Nairobi. So, we have Adila who sells these Italian pin strip kind of fabrics. So, we outsource. Others we also get from Kisumu here. So, what is the process of you getting the material to producing this kind of outfit? So, most of these are unhorda. So, meaning a client has to walk in, we take him through our fabrics. After the selection, we have a grid on the design and the kind of outfit that he or she wants, I'll make a order, which we'll take around two to three days. Then there are these high-end suitings that we also have to link with our suppliers from outside. So, there are some suits that we have to import also. So, how long do I, after making my order, how long will I wait to get my suit? So, if it's made to measure, that is within a week. Then if it's a bespoke suit, then that is four weeks, that is one month. Oh, because of the shipping? Yeah, because of the process. And how is the market in this industry of yours? We are trying, despite the fact that there's a lot of competition in there, there are also other designers trying to do their craft, but we are trying to push the brand so hard. So, what makes you stand out? So, one thing, I will say I'm authentic, I'm really authentic. I've mastered the heart. I know how to deliver to each clientele. If it's a corporate, I know the kind of a suit that will deliver to a corporate. I really love quality. So, I'll make sure whenever I'm doing a suit, despite the fact that it's well-tailored, it must deliver quality fabric. Okay, wow. And it is rumored. It is rumored. This is not a sure thing, but it is rumored that when a national suit, you suit it to care perfectly. Is it the same case with you, especially for the trousers? Yes, for the trousers. Okay, in general, I do think men are all very creative. And they are very passionate about what they are doing. So, you just have to be keen. So, I'm very much keen whenever I'm doing my craft. So, you just have to come out perfectly. When I'm as a lady, when I come to you for a suit, how often do you, like, most ladies wear suits, but maybe skirt suits and trousers suits, but not this kind. So, do you get market for that? Yes, there are some ladies that embrace tailored suits. I think we have some clients also that, because there are ladies at the corporate ladder, the lawyers. So, we also have ladies that do for them the suitings, even the official dresses. And is there a difference between the two clients, the male clients and the female clients? Because maybe there might be something different that you do for the ladies, but maybe the men don't get that. The only difference, okay, fabric, fabric, there's a slight difference in terms of fabric. So, ladies tend to like these soft fabrics that can blend well with their body. And like men, most of the jens, they love these hard fabrics. Then, there's also a difference in terms of cut. You know, with jens, you can do a two-cut at the back for suit, the lady you can't do. Is there a way you can show it to me for the suit? So, like this kind of a suit, it has two cuts at the back. So, that makes the difference. Then, with the ladies, you can just put one cut, or in most cases, you don't put any. Then, even with the sleeves, it's kind of different. The shaping of the bust, it's different. So, how is the reception of the community towards the work you're doing? When I was starting, most of my relatives, my parents, they never impressed it. Maybe they thought after going to school again, why should I do fashion again, be a tailor, sitting at a room doing the job. But with the time, they started now embracing it. At the end of the day, it's all about the value of whatever you're doing. So, when they saw the value that now I'm in town and they are not paying for my bills and I can do one, two, three for myself, now they say, okay, you can also try that. But in case you fail, you just go back to where you started. And do you have maybe partners that support you or a team that you work with in the organization? Yes. At the moment, we are four. That is three tailors plus me. So, at the moment, I'm doing the technical part. Then also, I make sure that I plan for everything that is being done at the shop. The designs, the carts, I also supervise. Then I make sure that I deliver the clothes. So, my major role is to manage the business and to make sure that the end product is well done. And what achievements have you made since you started? When did you start? It's a process. Let me say, professionally I've done it for three years. When I started, that was back then when I was in college. Though it was not that serious. So, professionally that is three years. So, I've been around three years. And what achievements do you feel you've made as you're doing this? When I started, the clientele base was not that grown. Then I didn't have the machines and everything. I was just working alone. So, we have grown to a point where we have these electric machines. We can do our own production. That's interesting. But are there any milestones that you have encountered while in this field and how did you maneuver them? Yes, for sure. Our biggest problem is capital when starting. How do you get these machines? How do you rent a space? How do you get these clans? Then how do you get quality fabrics? So, it becomes a challenge if you cannot have money to do all these. Fashion industry, let me say in Kenya, has not grown that big. We just have an image but not that fashion. But not a big industry. So, the major problem is we don't have the products. So, we are importing everything. That's why even the cost of production is very high. To make a suit, you get these off the rack suits are very cheap than tailored mid suit. Why? Because the cost of production after import the fabric, after import the accessories. So, the only thing that is available in Kenya or even in Kisumu is the labor. So, everything we are importing. So, it becomes now very, very hard to make these outfits and even the production itself. And let me ask you this, if you are to be given a representation in the fashion industry to make a change, what change you do making society towards this industry? One, I think the government, if I was a representative, I'll focus on the products. If Kenya can produce their own products, meaning we can produce our own fabrics, we have our garments here locally. Meaning the cost of production will be low. So, we'll embrace by Kenya. So, meaning most of our clientele, we'll appreciate all our garments and products. So, if we can push hard so that the government at least can lower the cost of production for us, at least we can get these garments locally at a cheaper price. It can be much better. And about the family, the support that your family was a bit skeptical in what you're doing right now, is it the same case or they've taken a new turn? First, I really want to appreciate my mother. She was very supportive. She didn't mind the fact that I went off, whatever I studied. When I was studying, she blessed me and told me, now my son, if you want to do this, then just go and do it. Give me some of his old fabrics, go and try this one out. So, I can make some cloths for my sisters and my brothers so that they can at least see. So, when I made a first dress for my mum and she said it's okay, now it felt like no. I think I can do it for clients also. So, my mum has been supportive. They are helping me whenever, both are through advices. And speaking from your experience, maybe there may be a young person out there who has studied something different and wants to venture into a different thing and they are afraid to let their parents or their family support to know that, inewe ukui me shinda, let me go this way. So, how can they deal with that? So, okay, in most cases, let's say the biggest problem that we youth have, we don't have the audacity. The audacity you have to start. Most of us wants to be pushed. But my advice is that if we can step out and start from the little that we have, we don't have to wait to get the capital and everything. Once you have the idea, just keep on pushing. It will grow in time. And what about the family that is telling you, no, no, no, thank you. With the time, I will appreciate it. Maybe the family will only see the benefit in terms of now when there is money in it. So, we are just telling them to be humble, let us push the brand. They will see the bigger picture in the future. Wow, wow, wow. And so, how do you plan to sustain bespoke official into the future? So, to sustain a brand, it's all about how you market the brand. So, one, we have a specific target clientele that we want to venture in. So, we want to venture into the corporate ladder. So, many want to do most of corporate outfits. So, meaning we want to push our brand both in the social media and the ground. So, it's all about marketing, social media platforms. And any future plans to expand the business, maybe? Yes, there are future plans. At the moment, we are a group of four. So, maybe in the future, we will venture into now other channels of distribution. So, maybe bespoke can grow. We can have other channels in other counties. So, at least people can embrace the brand in the other different areas. Seeing that you have been here for five years, what strategies maybe would you give someone who's yet to start off with now starting in the fashion design industry and maybe you can tell them, apa, this don't go this way, go this way. What such things? What can you say? I have only two things. One, be patient. Then two, be authentic. Let the drive comes from you. Let it be him built. Don't copy from anybody. So, how can we get your services? Nikitaka Suti, where should I find? We have a workshop in Lollue. That is a way to kanyari. So, you can get us also through our social media platforms. We are at Facebook, where is the Kisumu or best official or Kisumu Expertailers. Oh, okay. Yeah. Or you can also reach me through my personal page. For my personal account that is Desmon Omindi. Desmon Omindi. Just that. That, yeah. Oh. And so, being a young person who's using art and fashion to drive your career, what can you tell a young person out there who feels like I have a passion for this, but there is a milestone that I need to cover so that you can get there. What can you tell them? So, one thing that I advise in Maoroha when we are starting, it might be very hard because maybe of the challenges of the capital. But once you have the passion you want to start, just get it going. Don't hold back. Directly you get, just plow back into the business in the time it will be better. Okay. And the last one? One, being in Kisumu, I really want to thank our clients in Kisumu for being supportive. We are here because of them. We just want to promise them to be work well-crafted outfits. Yeah. Wow. And do you intend to expand from Kisumu, maybe? Yes. That's why I said earlier that going by, if the government at least is for us, now we can grow a brand whereby we can have different types of distribution so that at least you can do mass production. Mass production in that I can now produce even suits, can produce dresses and sell them. So maybe somebody in Nairobi can put on bespoke suit from Kisumu, somebody even as far as Kukana in Basak can put on my product. So at least I can have my distribution channels store my products in different places. Then in the time we also grow at Kipakatun International. Hei, hei, nukweli. What you didn't mention is, as you completed campus and you wanted to now learn the art of fashion designing, where did you get the training and was it free or you have to input some money on to it? No, in Kenya, nothing comes for free. Okay. So when I was done, I talked to my mum but then she told me to look for somebody who can train me but only at a cheaper price. She couldn't afford not again to trade, again to pay for another fee for something that she did plan for. So I went to somebody, I talked, he was just a local tailor, I talked to him, we agreed that I would take around eight months. Eight months? But by the time at four months I was already done. So I said there's no need of sitting back here. Then I went to my pig. Wow. So I had to pay him some little money and they trained me. So after four months I was out. So I perfected my craft when I was outside now. Nice, nice. You motivated me to do something more even after my degree I should expand my horizon. So thank you so much for coming. I've loved your presentation, I've loved your dresses, your suits and it's amazing. I may be your customer soon enough. He has said it clearly, it's about passion. Be authentic, have the audacity to go after what you want and don't trust. Don't trust where you are and say, okay now this is where I am at, I cannot move. No, you can move and you can expand your horizons however much you want. This has been Youth in Action. I am Nyangweso Grenis. See you next time. This is the way to do it. This is the way to do it.