Quintin Masoga from Limpopo, Seshego Zone 1 is a fashion designer, owner of Albertocarolina brand and AC Fashion School. He derived his brand name from the names of his parents, Albert and Caroline. He says that Alberto focuses more on menswear while Carolina focuses primarily on womenswear.
Quintin, as he is known in the fashion industry, is proud of his brand because it shows his creativity, passion, dedication and how he expresses himself. He has dressed the likes of MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture, Thandi Moraka and South Africa Netball President Cecilia Molokwane.
He says he wants to meet international brands’ standards to honor his parents for what they’ve done for him and that Albertocarolina Fashion School aims to transfer his skills to young people in Limpopo who want to learn how to design and become the best at it.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE FASHION
Fashion, like art, is self-expression. You can do whatever you want. It is not limited. It goes beyond the imagination. You can say that something has gone out of style, but someone can find their own expression and make it fashionable again. You can take an ordinary shirt or pants and transform them a thousand times. It’s all about your personal touch and character that makes fashion exceptional.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE FASHION
I didn’t choose fashion, fashion chose me. When I was younger I felt the need to look different. I would buy new clothes so I can customize and redesign them. When I was studying analytical chemistry and working in modeling in my senior year, I was discovered by one of our fashion design mentors. He saw my work and decided that he would teach me how to use a sewing machine. I didn’t see the potential but he saw potential in me and that’s how I became a fashion designer.
FAVOURITE THING ABOUT FASHION
You can wake up in the morning and decide to design anything and dress however you want. I am happy when people recognize and appreciate my sense of art. Fashion is more about being artistic and expressing your vision and spreading it, and when people start falling in love with what you do and get married to the vision. There’s also lots of money to make.
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN SOCIETY AS FASHION DESINGER
My role is to change lives; when I design outfits for the groom and bride for their big wedding ceremony, 21st birthday party and gala dinner as well as clothes for various events and special occasions. I become part of people’s memories. It’s a special feeling when people look at their pictures and love how the outfits look on them. I have also created many job opportunities in this industry and empowered many designers.
WHAT WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY
The only aspect I want to change is the misconception that fashion is only for women, feminine men or gay men. Fashion is for everyone. Fashion begins with choosing a color, checking the size, fit, choosing a brand, and the quality of the item. People need to stop berating people who are open about their fashion sense.
WHAT SKILL ARE NEEDED TO BE A FASHION DESIGNER
Passion drives everything, creativity is at the core and everything else follows. I am the founder of the AC fashion school. We teach passionate people basic things like sketching, measuring, trimming, sewing and cutting, using different materials, using different machines and improving their skills in competitive environments and the fashion industry etc. There are no formal qualification criteria to become a fashion designer. I didn’t go to school for fashion. I did what I thought was necessary. I only had basic training, everything else I taught myself. Our school focuses on 90% practice and 10% theory.
HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE
I think it depends on the occasions. I like to explore and experiment, but I make sure I look good. It’s mostly unconventional. I can go from trendy to classic semi-formal, but now my style has changed because I work in a corporate world, so most of the time I like to look precise and formal, with a dash of my own design.
ADVICE TO ASPIRING FASHION DESINGERS
I would say that they should always follow their heart and remember that fashion comes with an individual touch. It goes with your expression, so they should express themselves however they want and not undermine themselves. The last thing they shouldn’t be is being copycats or they’ll be left behind.
