INSIDE CIAR DESIGNS

Blantyre based Award winning tailor and fashion designer  Ciar real name Cecilia Bamusi had a passion for sewing from a tender age.

Speaking in an interview Bamusi says she has always wanted to get into fashion ever since she was young despite the negativity that came from her parents.

“ Since my parents wouldnt let me study fashion and designing, I decided to make it a hobby by watching tutorials on YouTube ,” she adds.

From the skills that she got through the videos she started hand sewing swim suits and posting them on different social media platforms.

“My friends were mu source of encouragement as they reposted my work and gained customers for me. This helped me get noticed and landed me my first job in 2017 at Adams Needle in Lilongwe.” She said.

At 23 Bamusi won the best new fashion designer award at the Malawi 2020 urban Music People Awards which were held in Lilongwe.

“ I did not see it coming and when it did i was so happy knowing that people recognised me and took their time to vote for me. I was humbled and honoured,” she says.

In 2021 Bamusi open her shop in Machinjiri Blantyre and fouded her own fashion brand Ciar designs which specialises in female clothing and accessories.

“ I am happy that i opened my own shop because now i can work on my own terms. Being able to design with creative freedom is so empowering. I am growing my brand and making a name for my self,” she explains.

She confesses that despite the fun and joy that comes with owning a business, it is also stressful.

Her advise to young girls is that on top of pursing their dreams their is need for them to go to school because the skills they will learn in school will carry and help them throughout their lives.

Cecilia Bamusi also holds a certificate in Financial accounting which she obtained from the Malawi College of Accountancy (MCA) before she ventured into the fashion industry.