Samantha aims to be the one

She’s The One, a new reality show on SABC 3, features 12 dynamic and creative young women, facing a variety of challenges, with one contestant being eliminated each week.

The women live together in a villa and, at the end of the 12 weeks, only one of these go-getters will be chosen as ‘the one’ to be the face of Edgars.

Samantha Rosemary Feher (25), a former Benoni High School pupil and owner of fashion house, Threads Of Rosemary, is one of the contestants on the show.

“It’s been a journey of lifetime and I’m enjoying everything about the show,” she said.

Apart from living in a lovely villa, meeting celebrities and creative industry movers and shakers, the contestants are dressed in the winter range from Edgars.

They are also given an opportunity to style their own outfits.

Samantha entered the show after her casting agency, Kingklip Artist Management, told her about it and asked her to audition.

“The show came at the right time in my life and career. I’m totally ready and invested in my brand, and this was the perfect opportunity for me to learn how to grow my business and brand,” said Samantha.

The Atlasville resident obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design after studying at the University of Johannesburg and LISOF in 2011.

She understood that trying to jump into the industry would be quite challenging, so she spent some time working within the fashion retail industry to gain experience.

“In 2012 I started with the Platinum Group, which owns brands such as Vertigo, Aca Joe and Hilton Weiner. I worked my way from assistant store manager at Vertigo, Sandton City, to store manager at the Rosebank branch,” she said.

A year later she joined Pepcor, working as a visual merchandiser under the guidance of the buyer for the men’s brand John Craig, and she spent another year studying the industry in which she hoped to be known as a designer.

In April 2014 she took a leap of faith and started her first brand, Rosemary Vintage.

“My mom, Thelma, owns a vintage and second hand clothing store in Malvern, so I grew up around fashion and clothing. I would take the vintage pieces and rework them into on-trend items, and that’s how my brand was born,” she recalled.

She has since started a range for women, which she describes as fashion forward and on-trend.

Her latest project is a men’s range, known as Acute, which showcases simplistic and geometric prints and designs for the discerning man.

“I’m focusing on the three brands and being on the show has helped me learn a lot so far, especially as a designer, and having Edgars as the main sponsor is really great,” she said.

The contestants are given a variety of challenges each week and are judged not only on teamwork, but also their individual input.

“The latest challenge where we had to host a black and white soiree, under the guidance of Sashi Naidoo, has been my favourite so far. We learned about how much goes into putting together events and also had an opportunity to meet and network with some amazing people,” said Samantha.

Just like any true Benonian, Samantha enjoys meeting different people and has had fun living with the different women in the house, describing them as being a close-knit family.

“It’s such a great platform to empower young women who wish to make it in the creative world. Young women should really tune in and take note from some of the greatest and creative minds in South Africa,” she said.

Follow Samantha’s journey every Thursday, or on Twitter with the hashtag #STOSA.

She’s The One is on SABC 3, on Thursday, at 7.30pm.