Fashion Designer Farai Simoyi Talks Having Beyonce And Nicki Minaj As Bosses And Making It In Cutthroat Fashion Business

If you are going to have a boss in your life, you might as well get a famous one right and it doesn’t get better than having two of the world’s biggest artists as bosses on your resume.

New York Based fashion designer Farai Simoyi is making us all proud in the fashion world. The Zimbabwean native who is based in the US is currently in London for Zimbabwe-UK Fashion Week.

Whilst speaking with BBC Africa Farai talks about working with superstars Beyonce and Nicki Minaj.
Simoyi says working for the two mega stars has been an amazing experience and an eye opener for her because of their level of success. “You can’t get to that level of stardom without being brilliant and without being a genius”, she said of her two bosses.

Farai says she has learnt a lot about herself, being a business woman and how to make your voice heard at the round table.

Asked if the two divas are bossy, Farai says they are as demanding as one needs to be when running a business, when you have people under you, when you have responsibilities and a vision for your brand. So yes, Beyonce and Nicki Minaj are demanding as businesswomen. “It’s something women can aspire to be”, says Simoyi.

Farai says fashion is a cutthroat business and you have to be determined, focused on yourself and your brand. “It’s about heart and perseverance. Farai says it is challenging to be an African/Zimbabwean designer because people want to box you and pigeonhole you. They try to define you and your brand because you’re African.

Ending on a positive note Farai says it’s not all discouraging because people are now more aware and open to try new things and like what they like without being forced or told by the industry what to like which allows African designers to shine too even in America.