FLYPRINTS INTERVIEWS SWANZ FLY

3 Wednesday August 25 2010 Written by flyprints
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I initially met the blond hair Zahra Swanzy at the RESET 3 ( RESET 4 coming very soon) and it was love at first sight(i’m talking about her clothes). Swanz Fly is a brand reflective of the designer style and tastes . Check it out.

Hi, thanks for the interview

Zahra: No problem,

So tell me a bit about yourself, have you got a man? (Lol) I joke, just general information.

Zahra: Ha! Cheeky, I am 5’8 with a slim/athletic frame and addicted to peroxide.

So, the name Swanz Fly where does it come from?

Zahra: Well, my surname is Swanzy and I didn’t want the brand to be my name so I came up with Swanz Fly. I liked it because no-one is really sure whether they can. I’m a Swan and I can Fly.

How would you describe your brand to someone who’s never heard of Swanz Fly?

Zahra: The brand is reflective of me, It’s to my style and taste. Inspiration comes from fashion/ trends of the past and I mix it with the new. A blogger described my brand as “Run DMC meets Gossip Girl” I find that funny yet true.

What first inspired you to create your brand?

Zahra: Frustration of not being able to find garments that I wanted to wear. I would trail car boot sales and thrift stores, to find great bits that I’d have to alter because they didn’t fit. When I started the brand there was a lack of independent brands. Now everyone and there friend makes clothes!

On your old site it said you make stuff for women and alternative men, why did you decide to only target women and guys who like lady gaga?

Zahra: As I said before, I make clothes I would wear. As a female the garments I wear and create are tailored to our body. My colour palette for SS10 was bold and daring which some fella’s really rated. For example; my Varsity in pink and turquoise did well with guys.

Did you go to fashion school or are you self taught?

Zahra: Both. When I was growing up my mum was a dressmaker so I picked up how to use a machine from her. When it came to studies I went uni and studied sociology. After I graduated I went London College of Fashion where I perfected my skills in garment production.

Your spring summer collection is called the ‘SEXCESS. Please explain?

Zahra: I was in my flat flicking through a box of original photos of 1920-1940’s nude pin-ups while listening to drake’s successful. I liked the play on words.

[Show as slideshow]

What would your mum say, aren’t you scared you’re going to isolate some people?

Zahra: My mum knows I’m bonkers, after all she made me I got it from her. Plus I don’t live my life worried about what people will think of me or what I do, it is MY life.

I would assume the UK street wear scene is quite small do you know everyone if so would describe everyone as friendly and supportive or competitive?

Zahra: It’s nice; I guess we all connect by our movements. But I’m not really a mingler, I like to do my thing and bounce.

You also do music, what is RC$K?

Zahra: RC$K are my sisters and my band. The music we make as RC$K is really experimental; we mix old school synths, hip hop, dirty bass and electro with a modern edge.