Quinton refused to wait for opportunities, so he created his own
Quinton Masoga from Seshego Zone 1 is a fashion designer and owns the brand Albertocarolina, which he derived from his parents' names Albert and Caroline
POLOWKANE – What started out as a passion became a profession for a young and energetic Quinton Masoga. The 28-year-old refused to wait for opportunities to come knocking at his door and his innovative ideas enabled him to create opportunities.
Quinton, as he is known in the fashion industry, prides himself on his brand because it shows how his creativity comes into play and how he expresses himself.
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He holds a diploma in analytic chemistry from the Vaal University of Technology. While studying, he modelled for the designer Deleki Matjara. Deleki spotted Quinton’s creativity, when he wore a jacket which he custom-made, and asked him if he wanted to be taught how to design.
“He then offered to teach me the basic skills on how to use a sewing machine and how to cut patterns. Everything else I know is self-taught. In everything I was doing, I taught myself something about fashion designing. My first brand was T Squared with which I tried to get myself into the fashion design industry. I learned about the market and in 2016, after finding myself, I came up with the brand Albertocarolina,” said Masoga.
He tells BONUS that he wants to meet the standard of international brands, to honour his parents for what they have done for him right up until where he is right now.
“I specialise in men and women’s wear – Alberto is more focused on men’s wear while Carolina mainly focuses on women wear. I have dressed the likes of MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Thandi Moraka, and South African Netball president Cecilia Molokwane who is one of my loyal clients. The brand is doing very well and we are currently in the process of opening the school: Albertocarolina Fashion School in Polokwane. The idea is to transfer my skills to young people around Limpopo, who want to know how to design and be the best designers. I am happy that my brand is doing well as I am supplying a store in Polokwane called SRS Exclusive Lifestyle,” he said.
Quinton wants to see Albertocarolina become one of the top fashion brands in Africa as well as internationally. “I have a five-year plan whereby I see myself showcasing in Milan and Paris’ Fashion Weeks. I want to see myself owning a fabric-making warehouse so that I can make my own fabrics,” he explained.
Quinton agrees that every industry has challenges and in his industry, he said the competition in the market makes fashion designers hate each other.
“People will start bad-mouthing you, but I managed to not pay too much attention to it. I started to go out to the designers and start friendships, so that at the end of the day, we become one and push fashion design forward together without compromising our brands. We are here not to compete against each other, we are here to make a living,” he concluded.
