Were you always interested in fashion?
No. My family always owned car repair shops. When I was young, I looked up to the kids with more money who wore cool clothes. But I never thought that could be me.
So how did you get into fashion?
It was when my garage started to make money. I finally bought the clothes I had always wanted to wear. I posted pictures of my outfits on Instagram, and people liked what I wore. Pretty soon, I decided I wanted to make my own clothes.
What traits have helped you be successful?
Patience and perseverance. You can’t rush into something—you have to take the time to learn everything you can first. While I was getting into fashion design, I still owned my garage. I was fixing cars while sewing suits in my spare time. It was hard, but I knew I had to learn the skills before I could succeed.
What do you love about fashion?
I love how it can transform a person. When I bought my first suit, something changed in me. I felt like a star or James Bond—and it wasn’t even a nice suit! But it made me feel different, and it made me see myself differently. I want to do that for people with the clothes I make.
What advice do you have for kids?
Be yourself. Be original. I know it’s easier to be like everybody else. But there are things that make you unique, and you should be proud of that.