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for an alternative to the traditional sulu jaba (long skirt with top). She designed her
own dress and took it to a tailor. Unhappy with the way it turned out, Samuels learnt
to sew herself. “Learning fashion design and sewing turned from being a hobby to
a passion," she relates.
“I take colour inspiration and motif shapes and sizes from masi prints and set
them up into an idea that I have been thinking of. This year, [that idea was] how
crochet repeats the same pattern, to create an even more beautiful design or
pattern. So I took that and placed the motifs, mimicking how crochet patterns are
placed.”
Samuels hopes that those who wear her designs—including her statement
gowns—will feel beautiful and empowered.
The designer herself prefers her work to make the big statement.
“I don’t like being the centre of attention; I prefer to work in the background and let
my design pieces speak for themselves," she says. And they do, with her garments

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