Lily Alfonso, Malawi’s top fashion designer, travelled across the globe to talk to our Fashion and Textiles students about her work.
Lily’s journey began when she set out to share her love of fashion with Malawi, as well as spark an interest for fashion in others. With hard work and determination, her vision became a reality. She is now the top fashion designer in Malawi, known internationally for her work and a recognised inspirational speaker.
On Wednesday 13th March 2024, the Fashion and Textiles students at SCCB got a flavour of what it takes to make it in the fashion industry. Lily’s speech emphasised the need for passion, resilience, and the importance of staying true to oneself, inspiring our students to pursue their dreams.
When the students were asked to talk about themselves, Level 2 Fashion and Textiles student, Alina Abbas, spoke proudly about her long-term plan to open a fashion boutique in Paris. Alina impressed both Lily and the staff with her passion and motivation.
To many people living in Malawi, simple equipment, such as a pencil and paper, are luxuries. This reality was expressed to the students, helping them understand that the opportunities available to them at the college shouldn’t be taken for granted. As a mentor to many aspiring fashionistas in Malawi herself, Lily gave the students practical advice about seizing opportunities and making the most out of everything on offer to them.
We also caught up with Lily and asked her some questions about her work and inspiration:
What inspires your work? “What inspires my work has to do with a lot of what I can create that brings change in people’s lives. When I say changing people’s lives, I mean doing something for a better reason, not just by dressing someone, there has to be more. I get inspiration when troubles are there. My mind is set in solving solutions.”
What do you hope to pass on to the SCCB fashion students? “I want to pass on a lot because I want them to think beyond. Rather than just creating garments and becoming famous, they have to have a big reason why they are doing what they want to do, in whatever field they are in, they should be thinking beyond their usual. If we are not preparing the youth right now for how they can adapt for the future, we are going to complain and complain and complain. I believe that we have all the right tools, our mind, our skills, to come up with anything to overcome the challenges.”
If you could give one message to someone, what would it be? “Life is beautiful, life is amazing, because someone else has created something for you. You have to be the best creator in yourself to create the beauty for other too. Everything you’re holding in your hands and everything you have around you, you should know that somebody else thought about you, and what are you thinking about next? Be the leader, be the one for someone.”
If you feel inspired by Lily and want to become your generation’s top fashion designer, then take a look at our courses, come to our Open Day (Saturday 15th June, 10am-3pm) and start applying now… the world of fashion awaits!