Simone God is the founder and CEO of various luxury fashion companies, including SISI GOD label, and at just 26 years old, she already showed her incredible entrepreneurial skills by excitedly taking on new challenges as they are presented to her.
Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, she grew up in Toronto. Later, she decided to launch her career in Montreal, Canada’s creative capital, but travels extensively in order to maintain a fresh outlook on life. She brings this worldly inspiration with her in all her ventures and designs. Simone loves a life driven by passion, which has led her to following her dreams, wherever they may take her.
A TALK WITH SISI GOD X 33 MAGAZINE
When did you first realize you wanted to become a fashion designer?
I realized I wanted to become a fashion designer when I was a little girl, I loved to play dress up and make my own clothing I was so creative and would see the world in fashion and would get inspired by everything. Fashion was a way to express my creativity and look and feel good it helped me gain so much confidence when people would complement my outfit and designs, I would make.
When did you land your first internship and what was the most valuable thing you learned from this experience?
I landed my first internship at the age of 16 and I had to convince the manager to hire me after the manager saw my outfit it didn’t take long for her to hire me after she so impressed by my fashionista sense of fashion and the outfit I had made at the time that I was wearing.
What was your first job out of college, and how did you land that position?
My first job out of school was in the government although it was such an amazing experience I was told by my boss that I belonged in a fashion firm because of my sense of fashion. Everybody could tell in my department I was crazy about fashion. And that I should be in the fashion industry
If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before beginning your career what would it be?
I would say that it’s going to be okay don’t be fearful everything will work out just the way you wanted. And that your dreams will come true one day!
What was the biggest rookie mistake you made when just starting out everything?
The biggest mistake was taking on everything and not really trusting people to work with me as a team. And I learned that having a team is everything you can’t just do all the work all by yourself.
What is one thing you look at the models for your campaigns?
Diversity in looks whether it’s shape or colour it’s super important to have all women represent all types of women in the world.
What role do you think social media plays in fashion today?
I think it plays a big role social media is a crucial aspect for your business if you want it to strive it controls fashion in a big way and can elevate your business if you know how to use social media properly you can gain a lot of success in the fashion industry.
What is your favorite and NON-favorite part about being part of the fashion industry?
My favorite part of being in the fashion industry is the fact that I can be around such like-minded people that can understand my creativeness and ability to think outside the box when it comes to fashion and be understood.
The non-favourite part is when people copy the trends unfortunately it happens a lot in the industry and those people don’t stay and when you do become successful a lot of people are inspired and will copy your designs and try to sell them for cheap when we’ve worked so hard to create such a unique design.
How do you want people to feel when wearing your clothes?
I want people to feel confident and a feel like a boss !!!
Can you tell us how your brand makes a difference in fashion industry?
Yes I can tell when women tell me the compliments they get when wearing my brand and the beautiful messages I receive from clients.
News on the way regarding your next collection?
I am planning on showing my new collection in Toronto this upcoming August with an inspiration of Dubai since it inspired me so much I just came back from a vacation there and it was amazing.
What do you think is the biggest challenge for a fashion designer?
The biggest challenge is being consistent and coming up with something new designs that “wow” your consumers all the time.
There is one important person, in your life, who pushes and motivates you to believe in yourself?
Honestly, my mother pushes me all the time my family see my potential and keep pushing me to the maximum they don’t stop and sometimes I’m like a bit stressed out before big fashion show but my daughter honestly is the biggest motivation there is!!! And when I see her smile it just keeps me going when things get hard and makes me feel like I can take on the world. My daughter Adonia is my biggest motivation.
How do you think a big brand should motivate their collaborators and team members?
Encourage innovation and listening and reasoning with the collaborators and team to hear their ideas so that they can give a great customer service and create a connection with everyone so that people feel attached to the brand.
How do you think sustainable can play an important role in fashion industry?
Honestly, hard work and continuing to focus on your craft and consistency no matter how hard it gets to continue working.
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