Farai Simoyi was born in London, England, the child of Zimbabwean parents. She lived in Harare, Zimbabwe, where she got her first taste of textiles and fashion, (from her aunt’s lingerie company at age five). Her aunt would give her scraps of fabric, which Farai would sew together by hand to make clothes for both her and her dolls. And, thus, her passion for fashion was born.
After studying at Nuovo Accademia Di Belle Arti in Milan, Italy, Farai moved to New York City, where she was quickly promoted to technical designer. She was also exposed to the cut-throat technical underside of fashion, coming to appreciate that there is a science to the art. Struggling to find a balance between working for a large brand and working on projects of her own, Farai was also featured on a television show, TLC’s “I’ve Got Nothing to wear!” In addition, Farai was invited to participate in, “Style Wars,” a style competition that presents young designers and their Avant Garde designs to the public.
With her dues paid in the technical fashion circle, Farai was able to break into the forefront and was hired as a designer for a major denim company. Seeing her designs worn by the masses on the streets of New York only further galvanized her drive to bring her vision to the public through her own line. Farai Simoyi debuted her Spring/Summer 2011 collection at NYC Fashion Week in September 2010. Calling her new brand ‘FARAI’ a representation of Soft/Steel/Bohemian”, it is a symbiotic juxtaposition of the styles and experiences gained in Africa, Appalachia, Europe and the streets of NYC.
AFWNY: What is your brands production process? (i.e. Do you manufacture or do you use cooperatives?)
Farai Simoyi: Our brand is a part of Made in NYC. We produce and manufacture all of our products in factories based in NYC.
AFWNY.com: What makes your brand luxurious?
Farai Simoyi: What makes our brand luxurious are the individual relationships we build with each one of our customers. We ensure that the quality and presentation of our products are top notch. With that, all of our customers have become repeat customers and loyal fans of the brand.
AFWNY.com: Where are you from? How has this influenced your designs?
Farai Simoyi: Born in London England, raised in Zimbabwe as a child, raised in West Virginia as a young adult, and now living in NYC has shaped who I am and influenced my work. I extract bits & pieces from all of my life experiences and formulate them into my brand.
You can purchase Farai Simoyi here: http://www.faraisimoyi.com/
Follow Farai Simoyi on Twitter @: FaraiSimoyi
MIA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faraisimoyi1
by Omoefe Ajueyitsi
Adiree Company is a media, marketing, and marketplace group reaching multicultural consumers. Every month, readers turn to content by Adiree — for impactful conversation, our marketing and it’s marketplace to engage with meaningful products. Focusing on everything from culture, lifestyle to careers, Adiree Company leverages the power of diversity and heritage to engage and empower. Adiree Company was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Lagos Nigeria.