Tia Black

1) Tell us about where you grew up?

I grew up in Parkwood and Mitchells Plain. Spent most of my childhood playing in the roads like majority of the kids I grew up with.

2) How did you get into the industry you're in right now and did your parents support you in your career choice?

I kind of fell into music. I shied away from it in the beginning because I wasn't certain I belonged but because of features with Slikour, Kwesta and being able to work with Ashley Valentine I grew into my own. My parents have supported all my life decisions. They raised me to make choices I was happy with for myself. If I'm happy they're happy. They don't always understand what I'm doing but they support

3) Do you see yourself in this industry long term?

Hmmm, I can't tell the future but I can say I'm not about to go away just yet.

4) What do you think your industry needs more of?

Support. The industry needs more support of each other. We tend to be in competition so often we forget that we're all trying to grow the music of our nation.

5) What is the worst part of your industry?

The worst part of the industry is the level of pettiness that comes along with the egos that erupt after "making it." People get so caught up in the intricacies of how amazing they are that they lose focus of who and what they are. This industry can chew you up, spit you out, change who you are and make you forget the people who were there all along and that's sad.

6) What is the best part of what you do?

The limitless creativity we seem to be exploring and expelling. The constant changes within the industry that better us as artists.


7) What would you tell someone wanting to follow the same career path?

I'd honestly tell them to shut up and work.  There's a tendency to vocalise what we're about to do or busy with instead of just letting the work speak for itself. The road to success is long and I am definitely not one to hand out advice as I'm just scratching the surface myself but hard work and the willingness to learn is key. Talent can only take you so far.



8) What kind of future South Africa do you see for creatives?

A flourishing one. I'm proud to be part of the generation that gets to see the changes that the pioneers of our music have set in motion actually come to life.

Check out Tia online:
http://twitter.com/TiaBlack007
http://soundcloud.com/tia_black

Goldie is an Events Reporter and Owner of Goldiestyling Media
and resident Guest blogger on VersatileLyle.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GoldiestylingLoveLocalCulture
Twitter: @Goldiestyling

Antonio Macheve Jr

1) Tell us about where you grew up?

I had a multi-cultural upbringing. I was born in Maputo, Mozambique and grew in Paris, New York City and Maputo, my hometown. I am now in Cape Town and enjoying it a great deal.

2) How did you get into the industry you're in right now and did your parents support you in your career choice?

I got into industry as a true admirer of fashion and most importantly of art. I am an artist, and so my transition from other art forms such as music production, songwriting, directing, drawing and painting to designing men's croquis was not too difficult. Obviously, it is a bit more complicated when we are talking about the business of fashion where it's more than just the art. I love it nonetheless and believe that if you have a passion for what you do, you can persevere through the challenges. When I left my parent's house, I was leaving to do a Master's degree, which I completed, that definitely made them happy. Being in the fashion industry is certainly not exactly what they envisioned, I didn't foresee it either, but its happening and they are enjoying the great outcome. My amazing partner and daughter make it easy for me though, they are my fuel and a strong support system.

3) Do you see yourself in this industry long term?

Yes!

4) What do you think your industry needs more of?

More menswear brands, do not forget the gentlemen!

5) What is the worst part of your industry?

When certain people in the industry try to bring rules into fashion.

6) What is the best part of your job?

Conceptualizing and designing new outfits, as well as directing our commercials and photo shoots for our ad campaigns and having one on one appointments with my customers to build their bespoke suits.

7) What would you tell someone wanting to follow the same career path?

Make sure you enter for the love and passion for the craft in fashion, and not for quick gains. Also, inform yourself on a daily basis on how to improve your skills, you want to always better today than what you were yesterday. As you improve your skills in whichever role you fulfill in fashion, I think.

8) What kind of future do you see for fashion creatives?

The only thing I can really say is, surprises!!! I think that's what creatives work hard to do, to surprise their audience.


Follow the man online:
http://twitter.com/machevejr
http://twitter.com/XipixiOfficial

http://www.xipixi-official.com/

Goldie is an Events Reporter and Owner of Goldiestyling Media
and resident Guest blogger on VersatileLyle.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GoldiestylingLoveLocalCulture
Twitter: @Goldiestyling

1. Tell us about where you grew up?

I grew up in a little town called Vredendal, where I lived with my Grandmother and a whole clan of siblings and relatives (lol).

Vredendal is a beautiful little town and I love it very much, it played a gigantic part in me being the person I am today. As much as it's a very small town and doesn't have much to offer its people, it taught me to always dream bigger (even the impossible) and to be more than what my circumstances allows me to be.

I spent my primary school life years there until I had to come to Cape Town to come live with my mother to attend high school here.

2. How did you get into the industry you're in right now and did your parents support you in your career choice?

Well, I have amazing parents, my mother and grandmother. No one in my family understood the career path in which I wanted to follow but they always trusted me to know what I want and go for it. So with them it's pretty much about what makes me happy and of course if it is realistic, so yes they supported me as they did (and still does) with everything I do.

I always wrote and took pictures for as long as I can remember. I always loved it and as much as I knew I didn't have the experience or degree, I had (have) the passion and drive.

I'm that annoying person (lol). I would email publications, establishments, etc. over and over. I would do this over and over until they would respond! Whether it is a yes, no or free advice! I take anything that would help me get to where I want to be.

So I pretty much just kept on pushing  (still pushing) and now as much as I'm not exactly where I want to be with my blog and everything else, I realise that it takes some time, patience, self-belief and hard hard work.

3. Do you see yourself in this industry long term?

Blogging and media

Yes, I definitely, definitely do.

4. What do you think your industry needs more of?

Creatives!

People that are doing it for the love and the passion! Creatives that's got a story to tell. Individuals that are bold and creative in their own right.

5. What is the worst part of your industry?

It's not often that you meet genuine individuals. When they touch, hug or talk to you it's not often that you can see that the gesture is genuine.

6. What is the best part of what you do?

My blog - Telling my story as an African.

The launches I attend for the Magazine - I must say the people I meet. I have met a few absolutely amazing creatives whose crafts are absolutely phenomenal! I'm meeting some creatives whom I have only heard of or seen on tv or magazines and now I get to talk to them, and at times when I'm lucky, ask them for advice! Hahahahah

Also the learning stage. I have learned so much! I am still. I look at where I was last year... and I look at how I have grown as a creative, blogger and person because of everything I take from all the lessons I learn and all the things i learn in and about this industry  .

7. What would you tell someone wanting to follow the same career path?

Do it for the right reasons!

I have two amazing people and creatives  I look up to ... one of them is my best friend Sindy and the other is someone I can happily call a friend now as well, Monde.

They're are absolutely talented! Anything they touch turns to gold! I just love their work... but more importantly what they stand for. They taught me that it's not about the fame, it's the passion, the drive... do it for the love of it.

• Be yourself 
• Do it for you
• Be real
• Be unique
• Be constant
• And do not be afraid of failure

Failure is inevitable. Use failure to help you get up over and over again. Perfect your craft, be confident in it and remember the right people are watching.

8. What kind of future South Africa do you see for creatives?

Everything has changed so much, it was once "cool" to be like the rest of the crowd. Now the new "cool" is being yourself! Even if it means being different. More and more creatives are emerging with their own colours to paint and their own stories to tell.

I see a future South Africa where being creative gets applauded, embraced, and encouraged.

Yolanda Willie

Find Yolanda online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Landa-986324668058492
Instagram: https://instagram.com/theblaqprint/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theblaqprint01
Blog: https://theblaqprint.wordpress.com/


Goldie is an Events Reporter and Owner of Goldiestyling Media
and resident Guest blogger on VersatileLyle.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GoldiestylingLoveLocalCulture
Twitter: @Goldiestyling