14 QUESTION WITH CONDRAD PROLLIUS

Born in Upington moons ago, Conrad Prollius is a Fashion Designer and Hair Stylist who has worked in the TV and Publication industry. His first job as a rookie out of varsity where he studied fashion design, was at a wedding dress boutique in Stellenbosch. He had the opportunity to come up with his own men’s collection and also designed underwear for men and women with condom packets which was used by H.E.L.P. Malawi to raise funds to build a school where he had spent 21 days helping on the project. In 2015 he started his own hairdressing studio called “I AM” which he sold in 2017 and now owns another hair studio situated at the Am Weinberg Estate called “Be hair”.
 
With the fashion industry passion still at the centre of his heart, he established a fashion brand called Pinstripe Hippy which was showcased at Windhoek Fashion Week 2019.
 
Pinstripe Hippy is a proudly Namibian clothing brand manufactured with other local creative small businesses. Created with love, driven with passion and fueled by dreams. It’s a perfect combination of creativity, fabric, colour, prints and comfort to find the balance (PH) between the corporate and hippy inside you.

1. When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career as a designer?
My passion for Fashion started from my teenage ears 

2. What was your first job out of college, and how did you land that position?
It was at a wedding and evening dress designer owned by one of my lecturers, she believed in my future as a designer and acknowledged my creativity.

3. What was the biggest rookie mistake you made when just starting out?
Making a wedding dress 30cm too short 

4. How is working in fashion different today than from when you started out?
There is so much opportunity for local designers and a desire for local brands.

5. What role do you think social media plays in fashion today?
Social media gives you exposure to the whole world.

6. What was your biggest fear when going out and starting your own line?
Financing it  

7. What is your favourite part about being a designer?
Being creative and putting your vision into a wearable garment 

8. How do you want men/women to feel when wearing your clothes?
Pride and self-love 

9. There’s so much pressure for designers to come out with their greatest collection season after season. What advice would you give to young designers just starting out and hoping to make it in the industry?
Believe in your designs, stick to your vision, create with love and be true to yourself. Create your own look, don’t follow mainstream trends.

10. Who have been your biggest mentors in this industry and what is the best advice they have ever given you?
I didn’t have a mentor, but Marianne Fassler a South African designer was my inspiration for years, she never followed fashion, but created her own market 

11. If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before beginning your career what would it be?
Never give up and it’s never too late to follow your dream

6. What was your biggest fear when going out and starting your own line?
Financing it  

7. What is your favourite part about being a designer?
Being creative and putting your vision into a wearable garment 

8. How do you want men/women to feel when wearing your clothes?
Pride and self-love 

9. There’s so much pressure for designers to come out with their greatest collection season after season. What advice would you give to young designers just starting out and hoping to make it in the industry?
Believe in your designs, stick to your vision, create with love and be true to yourself. Create your own look, don’t follow mainstream trends.

10. Who have been your biggest mentors in this industry and what is the best advice they have ever given you?
I didn’t have a mentor, but Marianne Fassler a South African designer was my inspiration for years, she never followed fashion, but created her own market 

11. If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before beginning your career what would it be?
Never give up and it’s never too late to follow your dream 

12. Where do you go for inspiration when working on a new design?

Fabric inspires me

FOLLOW CONDRAD ON INSTAGRAM
 
13. What is your favourite part about being a designer?
Creating a wearable garment 

14. What is one thing you look for when interviewing a potential candidate for your company?
Someone that thinks outside the box