 Welcome back to Why In The Morning. As usual, if it's Tuesday, it's entrepreneurship Tuesday at Y254 channel, as you can find us across all our social media handles. At Michelle, Ashira, as you can find me across all my social media. In this particular session, we dive into an interview that looks at what it takes to launching a fashion brand. I'm joined with Nani Aver, then Noni Buru. She's a designer for Moni Design. Thank you. How are you doing, baby girl? I'm fine. So for the person, for anyone who is meeting you for the first time, who is Noni and what is the educational background you came in? Nani is Harriet Mutanim Buru. I'm a fashion designer. I did fashion in campus and I've been doing fashion out here. I've been studying from YouTube because I cut short my education in campus. So I've been learning through YouTube and different tutors and fashion designers. Okay, so every iconic brand that I know of when it comes to fashion and design, they always have an origin. So what if a passion for design comes from? Because it's one thing to just, you know, like a dress up style and look good, but it's another to just want to, you know, blueprint from the scratch. Okay, so I think it started when I was younger because I loved to dress up, but it was mostly projected when I was in high school. In foundry, I changed schools. Then my new school, my home science teacher was very fashionable. She was an old woman, but she would, if she's going monologue, she's just monochroming from head to toe and I really liked how she dressed. So my love of fashion was projected from there and you wanted to do fashion from there. All right, nice. So what was your first outfit that you came, that you created? Oh, first outfit. It was a dress, a red dress. Yeah, I made a red dress. Okay, and was it for you, for a friend, a family member? For me, I always started like with dressing myself so that now I can dress others. How was the reception from other people seeing what you had created? They loved it. Yeah, they loved it so much. At the time I had a tutor and she couldn't believe I made it myself. It was the first first week in class. She was so happy. Yeah, I believe like in this, the industry of fashion and design, it requires lots of like a sweat equity. You have to put in a lot of work. Someone who's watching this, like what does what are the requirements to become like a designer? How do you even gain these skills of just drafting, printing and then are they the blueprints? Yes. Okay, as long as you have the passion, you don't need to know everything. Though it's important to know how to sketch, to drape, to sew, to make the outfit yourself. But it's not a must. You can just have someone to make the dress for you or the garment for you and all you have to do is design it. But as for me, I do everything. I sketch, I make the dress, sometimes I even model them. And how do you acquire your fabrics that you work at? I just, I just come out and look for them. Mostly in town there's a lot of good fabrics. Yeah, in town and in easily online, most of the time. Yeah. So what is the ultimate goal for Mooney Design? Like what is the plan? To become a global brand, yeah, inclusivity and obviously to provide employment to a lot of people, including mostly the youth, because a lot of youth are in the fashion industry. What are your talking about is because when it comes to fashion and design, I know that the older generation, they're not much into trends or style. It's mostly the young guys. So what is your like your target market? I don't have a specific target market. I can say my target market is a stylish person. As long as you're stylish, it doesn't matter the age, color, whatever it is, I'm gonna style you or make for you a dress or a suit, anything. As long as you're stylish, that's my target. Okay. Take me through your, when you initially starting, that is when exactly? In 2020. Okay. So take me through when you're starting off and what are some of the things like the tools of production that you used? Did you require any financial capital in your business and how did you go about that? Oh yeah, I did require capital but I only started with a very small amount of capital since I had a machine. If I have the machine, I think fabrics I can acquire at very cheap prices. I actually started with redesigning mid-tomba clothes and made them a little bit like classy and everything. I just transformed it to cabissa. So I started with 260 shillings. Okay. I bought mid-tombas and then reformed them, then sold them at a higher price. All right. I went, okay, one of my directors, I was going through her a profile, of course that actually so she went for a photo shoot and I saw like the outfit that she, I think there was sweat part and I'm not sure but we'll get to see the like her work and what she does. It was an amazing outfit and I had to comment and I was like, and then that's how I got to like introduce to you. So for you, when it comes to just creating something from scratch, what is your mind space at? Do you just sit at a place and to be thinking like, by the way, if I design this just like this and like that, I would even see someone working just, you know, observing and you'll be like, if I, in that particular outfit, I'll drop down ABC and D. How is your designing process? You mentioned it. Okay, first I get to know the person. I try to make it very personal. I try to get to know you, their likes and dislikes, colors and whatever. Also I try to understand your body type because some patterns and prints and designs don't go with certain body types and there are those that go very well with them. So you have to understand that to start in fashion school, that's why I do that. Yeah, so I consider the person's body, what they like, yeah, and what I think they would look good in. I would concur with that because I believe if you're dressing someone, body type is very important. When they see a particular outfit, they'll say, I want that. But when you put it on, it doesn't look the same. Yeah, it doesn't look the same. Let's look at your brand, the branding aspect of your business, right? How have you positioned yourself like you're different in the marketplace? Because you have different fashion designers who are coming up every single day and I'm sure as you're watching and you love fashion and design, I'm sure you get into this industry. So there are so many people out there. So how have you positioned yourself to be outstanding and different in the market? I try to grab every opportunity I can and I try to be loud also. If it's my logo, I'm trying to put it everywhere. If these are events somewhere, I'll just approach the organizers and if they let me come in, I'm gonna I'm gonna be loud. I'm gonna come with my logo there with my my earrings. They are normally like on some papers and they have the logo on. I'm gonna make sure they are a lot on the table. I try to make it like when somebody feels it, they'll know it's money. It's money. So branding merchandise, branding your product. So speak about how aggressive you are. Have you attended or have you been part of any events recently? Yes, I have. I have done fashion shows and I have done fashion shows. Are these fashion shows of any impact? Are they reflecting to sales? Because I've interacted with a couple of fashion designers. For instance, Ashok Sanya and he was like, these like the runways events, they're you know, these are not the outfits that you see day to day people wearing. Yes, so are they reflecting to sales? Like if you go to these fashion runways events, be part of them. Are people going to buy your product? Are they going to just reflect? Yeah, they do. Normally, when you showcase at a fashion show, people get to know your brand and they can see like you can talk to them about your brand through your clothing. So they'll get to understand what type of comments you make and if they like a certain design, they'll come and tell you, I want this, but I want it a little bit altered and everything. Also, fashion shows, they let you know which product will be well received. So if one garment is well received, you must produce that and the one that doesn't get well received, you just put it on hold. Okay, so before we get to look at a couple of your outfits on your page, I'd like to find out what determines your price tag, like in this particular outfit. If it's a track suit or anything of the sort for ladies or even gentlemen, what determines this price? If it's a gown, what determines the price of this gown so that people may understand? First, it's the design. Obviously, how much work it took me to make and the fabrics. Some fabrics are on the high end. So it's the fabric and the design. What is your marketing process? My marketing process, I do shoots and post on IG. Sometimes I try to send people my stuff. I post on my status for people to see and now the fashion shows. Couple of challenges that you're faced along the way? Okay, so people are not willing to pay the price sometimes and there's a lot of stuff. There's like different people want different designs. So sometimes you have to try and incorporate all that. And for me working alone, it's kind of hard doing all that. Also finding employees is a challenge. Finding a good tailor, the one who will reach your standards gets a little bit complicated. Sometimes fabric, you want a specific fabric, but you won't find it sometime or you find it's very expensive. Those are some of the challenges. Like looking back from the day you started to where you are right now, would you say that it's something that can sustain you? Is it like a business that you can really sustain you? Yeah, it can. Though I'm right now, I don't have so much bills to pay. I'm still in my mother's house. So I'm waiting to move out so that I can see really... Exhaust this opportunity. So when I move out, I'll know that. But I know it's an industry that drives because the basic needs are food shelter and clothing. So fashion is there. And for someone who is watching this and they want to get into this space of fashion and make it a business of its own and stand and keep it afloat, what would be your advice now that you are miles, steps miles away? So what would be your advice for that person? I would first welcome them. It's a very broad industry. Also, I would tell them to express themselves. Sometimes when you're trying to be creative, it's hard to express yourself because someone will be like, I don't know, I don't like that type of clothing. But if it's what you like, you can just be free. Also in the industry, you have to harden. You need to harden because some clients don't want to pay for your value sometimes. So you have to just be persistent and passionate. A couple of achievement stories that you've experienced along this journey of yours? Achievements. Well, I think it's the fashion shows I've done because considering I've been in the industry professionally for an year, I've done five fashion shows at two rivers, three at two rivers, one at a university. Is it the current? Yeah, they have current. So at two rivers, I did an international runway. I think that's the best achievement I have had so far. But there are more coming achievements. I'm just my name in the mild ones. There are bigger ones coming. But at two rivers, I did an international runway. I also did a solo fashion show. That's a big achievement. And also at the hub, it was an amazing opportunity because I worked with big names. I work with big names like Sabato fashion and Fintan fashion. I like the fact that you're very confident and there's no other way this way, which is greatness that is coming. You're more coming and you're very sure about that. So how are you positioning yourself when it comes to that platform whereby you'll be working with bigger brands who are more exposed? You're just networking. I'm trying to network a lot and every opportunity I see, I grab. Yeah, that's what I'm doing because I must push myself. And the fact that I'm focused on one path is kind of helping me to push myself forward. All right. Let's check out the outfits that you've worked on. I believe we're going to look at your Instagram. Okay. Yes. All right. So let's do this. All right. Check out this outfit. Oh, this is a free culture event at the hub current. So all that is African fabric and African designs but made in a, in a, it's contemporary, like just made in a modern way. But you can see it's a, it's a sweat pant from Kitanga, a jacket, a dress jacket, like that's a dress jacket. Kitanga one. All right. And this is, is it Ankara? Yeah, it's Ankara. Oh, why? Yeah. And a condom. Very nice. I like the, I love, my favorite color is green. So that dress really is beautiful. Okay. So how long does it take to come up with such a, such a dress? That was really, really hard to make actually. It took me like almost a week. A whole week. Yeah. But, but it's because like sometimes when I'm doing something, I am, if I feel like my creative energies have exhausted, I'm going to pause, go to the next one and then I'll come back and my energies are back. Speaking about being creative. Okay. I think through this. Oh, so this is an Ankara suit. It's a shorts, but sometimes when you wear shorts in Kenya, some people may feel like you're not appropriately dressed. So I put a lace fabric from where the shorts, where the shorts meets the lace fabric. Yanni, if you wear it as a shirt, it will show too much skin. But then when you put lace on it, people feel like you're not showing too much skin, but you're showing just that it's not so clear. So that, that was the idea of it. You can wear shorts freely. Well, well, well on the runway. So take us through this outfit. This one was inspired by Yamiya Lade. Yeah. She, I saw a post of her with such an outfit, but it was a blue one, but I altered it. So for you, the trends of creative or coming up with different design, it's inspired from everywhere. Yeah, from everywhere. Everyone's fashionable. So that's an Aghbada. It's a traditional African outfit, mostly for males. The people who wear this are normally seen as, they're respected. Yes, it's more cultural. It's cultural, yeah. They're respected. They have a very high place in the community. Yeah. Yeah, it's, it's, it's a great piece. It has the shirt, which is ankle length and there's a trouser and the hat. Nice one. And always fancy. There is, there is a gentleman, my daughter. She's looking fabulous. Yeah. So this is the outfit that I saw. Yeah. This is the outfit that I saw. Take me through this one. This outfit actually has opened very many doors for me. I don't know if it's the model. It is the model, no? Yeah, definitely. Yeah. So this is a sweat and collar. It's sweat, sweat fabric inside and a collar on top. And you can get it from different sizes. Yeah, different sizes, different colors. Nice. It looks really beautiful. Thank you. And that was the outfit that I saw, guys. And I was like, tell us how you got that outfit by director, who was your designer and that's how you met him. Thank you. So you did a fabulous, fabulous job out here. So this is the gown? Oh yeah, this is a, this is a dress I made for a wedding. I was attending a friend's wedding, so I made it the night before the wedding. Wow. Because I had too much work. I had too much work load. I didn't have time to make a garment for myself. So overnight I said, let me just make a dress and I did a quick fix. That is a fabulous dress for just a night, like a night before. Yeah. So for this picture, I have accessorized the bride, the necklace, and the earrings, and also the bridesmaid. Fabulous. Yeah. And then we have Moony. Moony design. She's in studio with us. So guys, make sure you stay tuned. You have so much coming your way. So, hey, I am out of, I don't know what to say, because you are really doing great for, especially in terms of how long you've been into the industry. I know you, of course you went to school and studied these, of putting the work and everything, but just seeing your pieces of work, it's really tremendous. Thank you. You're doing great girl. So our financial lesson that you've learned along the way, because at the end of the day, it's something that you love and you need to make money out of it. There's a business aspect of it. So what are a couple of financial lessons that you've learned along the way? Budgeting. You need to budget well. Also, you need to save, at least try to save a little percent so that I can invest later. Those savings is not, I can't advise people to save like most of the time. Reinvesting is what I can advise people because reinvesting is what has helped me to do everything that I'm doing, because I don't borrow money from my mom to buy fabrics or whatever. I just reinvest and make my little amount grow. You say I started from 260. No, no. 260 and so far, the fact that you also planned your own event and you made things happen. So yes, reinvesting back to your business. Another question of the day and we're asking you, what is the craziest customer experience you have had on our Facebook, on all of your social media handles, that is at Y254 channel, at Michelle Lashira, at Ramah Google, what is your craziest customer experience you've ever had? My craziest customer experience is very crazy because I still have the outfits. They didn't come for it. So I did fitting so well. I went, we talked, I did everything, but when it came to the price, the customer was like, no, you know, I'm a celebrity, I'm going to market you, do me at half price, you know. I'm going to give you a free platform. Yeah, and I was like, you know, I'm not here for exposure really. Oh yeah, because you're putting the work coming out fits with it? It was, it was a, they were true. It was an African outfit. It was a shirt and a trouser. So the person wanted to give me exposure. Markets, yeah. Like, have they paid prior like a deposit because you know, this fabric aspect of it? They had not actually, I learned a lot from that experience. But they tell us what you learned through that experience as you wind up? First, you have to ask for deposit because the deposit will cater for the fabrics. When you've already bought the fabrics with the customers, with the customers deposit, it won't be a loss on you. Even if they don't pay for the rest and you remain with the garments, at least it's just time and labor, but don't use your money to make somebody's garment unless it's, unless you're making ready to wear garments. Yeah, first ask for deposit. Yeah, so that's the lesson. At least we learn something. They say we don't, what's the word, we don't fade, we learn through it. So you learn something. Yeah, I learned a lot. Very impactful. So how can people reach out to you if they want to work with you? They love the design that they have seen and they would like to purchase from you? You can get me at monidesigns.co everywhere, Instagram, Facebook and on LinkedIn and you can also message me. My number is on Instagram and on Facebook, and you can also reach me at email at nonig254. All right, thank you very much, Noni, for putting your time to be with us. Thank you for having me. Looking forward to, you know, rock one of your outfits. Leave, guys. So I'll send you some of what's coming through. Looking forward to just having this conversation again. Okay, thank you. All right, that is Noni Mburu, a designer in Muni Design. Make sure you follow up across all our social media handles and get more information if you want to get into this industry if you want to purchase any of our outfits. There you go, you have it. We are talking about launch, what it takes to launch a fashion brand. And I hope you've learned a couple of things and fell in love with a couple of the outfits like I did. So make sure you keep the conversation going at Y244Channel at Mission.com.