:Farai Simoyi

Farai Simoyi was born on 1 October 1983 in London, England. She lived her early childhood in Harare, Zimbabwe, where she attended early primary education at Groombridge Primary School before moving to West Virginia in the United States of America. She completed her primary and secondary education in the USA before proceeding to West Virginia University. She attained her Fashion Design & Merchandising degree at West Virginia University and studied design at Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan, Italy.{{Cite web|url=https://youthvillage.co.zw/sport-entertainment/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-farai-simoyi/|title=10 Things You Didn't Know About Farai Simoyi|first=Youth Village|last=ZW|date=14 April 2015|website=Youth Village Zimbabwe}}

Farai Simoyi began her career in fashion design in 2005. Over the years she rose to prominence through designing and consulting for celebrity brands, which include Beyonce, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Justin Timberlake, Rachel Roy, Anne Klein, and Robert Rodriguez.{{Cite web|url=https://www.essence.com/fashion/essence-boutique-boss-farai-simoyi-tnt-concept-store/|title=This Brooklyn Entrepreneur Opened A Boutique Spotlighting Designers From The Diaspora|date=24 October 2020 }}{{Cite web|url=https://aurn.com/farai-simoyi-fashion-entrepreneur-you-need-to-know/|title=Farai Simoyi: Fashion Entrepreneur You Need to Know|first=Starrene Rhett|last=Rocque|date=17 September 2020|website=American Urban Radio Networks}}

In 2010 she debuted her brand Farai Inc{{Cite web | title=Hightlights of Farai Simoyi's SS12 NYFW Runway Show – BRONZE MAGAZINE | url=https://www.bronzemagonline.com/hightlights-of-farai-simoyis-ss12-nyfw-runway-show/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812070204/https://www.bronzemagonline.com/hightlights-of-farai-simoyis-ss12-nyfw-runway-show/ | access-date=2024-12-27 | archive-date=2020-08-12}} at New York Fashion Week 2010,{{Cite web|url=https://thisisworldtown.com/all-out-at-farai-simoyi/|title=All out at Farai Simoyi|date=25 November 2010}} where she was identified as a ‘Breakout Designer’ by Time Out New York,{{Cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/features/vixen/farai-simoyis-springsummer-2012-collection-260717/|title=Farai Simoyi's Spring/Summer 2012 Collection|author=|date=19 September 2011|access-date=3 January 2023|archive-date=3 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103154034/https://www.vibe.com/features/vixen/farai-simoyis-springsummer-2012-collection-260717/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.millarefashion.com/2012/07/farai-simoyi-presents-her-fall.html|title=Farai Simoyi Presents Her Fall Collection At The AFWNY tagged Bohemian Luxury Travels to Africa, Europe, & New York|date=6 July 2012 }} She then went on to establish The Narativ House in 2017 which houses ethically sourced artisan brands{{Cite web|url=https://www.brownstoner.com/brooklyn-life/bed-stuy-brooklyn-clothing-the-narativ-african-artisans-imports-385-tompkins-avenue-farai-simoyi-design/|title=Bed Stuy's The Narativ Provides a Platform for African Artisans To Tell Their Stories|first=Nadia|last=Neophytou|website=Brownstoner|date=12 January 2021 }} from around the world with an emphasis on sustainability and traditional craftsmanship through human-centered design{{Cite web|url=https://leadingladiesafrica.org/2022/01/18/ladycreative-meet-farai-simoyi-ceo-founder-of-the-narativ-house/|title=#LadyCreative: Meet Farai Simoyi, CEO & Founder of The Narativ House – Leading Ladies Africa}} including partnerships with W Hotels, Vice Media, Refinery29, and Afropunk.https://www.essence.com/fashion/the-narativ-house-farai-simoyi-african-fashion/

In 2024, Simoyi joined the Fashion Scholarship Fundhttps://www.essence.com/fashion/farai-simoyi-head-of-virgil-abloh-post-modern-scholarship-fund/ as the inaugural Head of the Virgil Abloh™ "Post-Modern" Scholarship Fund and Equity.https://wwd.com/business-news/human-resources/fashion-scholarship-fund-farai-simoyi-virgil-abloh-scholarship-1236546766/ Conceived by visionary fashion designer Virgil Abloh, founder of the Milan-based luxury streetwear brand Off-White and former artistic director of Louis Vuitton's menswear, this initiative continues his legacy of championing diversity in the fashion industry. In this role, Simoyi leads the charge in expanding the program's reach, increasing scholarships awarded each year, and spearheading initiatives that open doors for students from underrepresented communities.https://www.grvyrd.com/blogs/news/farai-simoyi-leads-virgil-ablohs-scholarship-fund-for-equity-by-graveyard-shifthttps://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/fashion-scholarship-fund-names-farai-040100010.html

In 2007, Simoyi had her television debut on TLC’s design competition series I’ve got nothing to wear. In the series, design contestants were paired up with a client that had an entire closet of clothes yet still complained, “I’ve got nothing to wear”. The designers would invade the closets of their clients and pull garments with plans to upcycle them into new, revived garments.{{Cite web|url=https://africafashionweek.com/magazine/q-africa-farai-simoyi/|title=Q & Africa | Farai Simoyi|work=Africa Fashion Week|date=25 April 2020 }}

Simoyi's second television appearance was in 2020 when she appeared on the first season of the Netflix fashion design competition series Next in Fashion in 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/01/9230925/netflix-next-in-fashion-contestants-instagram-jobs-labels|title=Every Contestant From 'Next In Fashion' Deserves Your Attention|first=Shannon|last=Carlin|website=Refinery29|date=18 October 2019 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/next-fashion-netflix-contestants-collections-designs-buy-collection-minju-daniel-marco-1485827|title='Next in Fashion' on Netflix: Where To Buy All the Contestants' Collections|date=5 February 2020|website=Newsweek}} She was the only African on the show which featured eighteen international designers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.primetimer.com/features/the-best-moment-of-next-in-fashion-is-a-window-into-fashions-race-problem|title=Next in Fashion's Best Moment is a Window Into Fashion's Race Problem|author=Kevin O'Keeffe |date=30 January 2020|website=primetimer.com}} On the show, Simoyi was partnered with an American fashion designer, Kianga "Kiki" Milele.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3a8FxLKtSE|title=Behind the Runway with Kianga Milele and Farai Simoyi | Black America|date=20 March 2020 |via=www.youtube.com}} The two designers worked with each other at The Nicki Minaj Collection. The designers appeared in 5 episodes and exited after the 5th episode.{{Cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/most-controversial-fashion-moments-of-2020-10|title=The 8 most controversial fashion moments of 2020, so far|first=Melchi|last=Anyinsah-Bondzie|website=Insider}}{{Cite web | title=Netflix's 'Next in Fashion' sparks controversial streetwear debate | url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90460529/farai-simoyi-from-netflixs-next-in-fashion-weighs-in-on-that-controversial-streetwear-episode | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206143334/https://www.fastcompany.com/90460529/farai-simoyi-from-netflixs-next-in-fashion-weighs-in-on-that-controversial-streetwear-episode | access-date=2024-12-27 | archive-date=2020-02-06}}

In 2020, Simoyi became the Program Director & Professor of B.S. Fashion Design and M.S. International Fashion Design Management for the Kanbar School of Engineering & Design at Thomas Jefferson University. Simoyi launched one of the first undergraduate 3D Virtual Fashion Design curriculums in Philadelphia, utilizing software such as CLO3D.{{Cite web|url=https://hautefashionafrica.com/farai-simoyi-becomes-director-of-fashion-design-program-at-thomas-jefferson-university/|title=Farai Simoyi Becomes Director of Fashion Design Program at Thomas Jefferson University – Haute Fashion Africa (HFA)|date=4 October 2020}}

In 2022 Simoyi became a Fashion Scholarship Fund Equity Committee member in partnership with the Virgil Abloh "Post-Modern" Scholarship Fund. The Fashion Scholarship Fund Equity Committee works directly with the country's most talented young students from diverse backgrounds and awards over $1 million each year in scholarships to help students succeed in all industry sectors, including design, merchandising, marketing analytics, and business strategy. Simoyi is also an advisory board member for the Council for International African Fashion Education (CIAFE) representing North America and board member for the Philadelphia Fashion & Garment Industry Task Force (PFGITF).{{Cite web | title=Farai Simoyi Brings Her New York Style Sensibilities to Philadelphia | url=https://phillystylemag.com/farai-simoyi-brings-style-to-philadelphia | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927034532/https://phillystylemag.com/farai-simoyi-brings-style-to-philadelphia | access-date=2024-12-27 | archive-date=2020-09-27}}{{Cite web|url=https://magazine.jefferson.edu/issues/fall-2021/a-designing-woman.html|title=A Designing Woman|website=magazine.jefferson.edu}}

In 2024 Farai Simoyi co-authored Dazzling Zelda, a children's nonfiction picture book biography published by Simon & Schuster on August 13, 2024. The book introduces young readers to Black fashion icon and design pioneer Zelda Wynn Valdes, whose elegant dresses, gowns, and costumes illuminated the stage and red carpet, shaping fashion history.https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Dazzling-Zelda/Aura-Lewis/9781665918299https://thebrightagency.com/us/blog/out-now-dazzling-zeldahttps://www.crackingthecover.com/25243/dazzling-zelda/

• Alumni Service Award and Homecoming Grand Marshal, 2023https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2023/10/12/wvu-alumni-association-announces-2023-homecoming-and-alumni-service-award-winnershttps://www.post-gazette.com/life/goodness/2023/10/30/farai-simoyi-fashion-designer-wvu-homecoming-parade-alumni-service-awards/stories/202310250004
• Mi Daakye Barrier Breaker Award, 2023https://gowhereitzat.com/mi-daakye-pays-homage-to-and-partakes-in-the-celebration-of-hip-hop-50th-anniversary
• The Next Best Designer – Essence list of 2020{{Cite web|url=https://www.essence.com/news/bhm-fashions-next-best-designers/|title=BHM: Fashion's Next Best Designers|date=29 October 2020 }}
• Female Entrepreneur of the year – Zimbabwe Achievers Awards USA 2018{{Cite web|url=https://www.263chat.com/top-designer-farai-simoyi-and-taps-mugadza-among-shortlisted-nominees-for-zim-achievers-usa-awards/|title=Top designer Farai Simoyi and Taps Mugadza among shortlisted nominees for Zim Achievers USA awards|first=Sir|last=Nige|date=18 August 2018}}
• GC4W 20 Most Influential African Women Entrepreneurs & Leaders in America 2016{{Cite web|url=https://gc4women.org/2016/01/16/20-influential-african-women-entrepreneurs-leaders-in-america-to-watch-in-2016/|title=20 Most Influential African Women Entrepreneurs.|date=16 January 2016}}
• GC4W Top 100 Women in the World{{Cite web|url=https://gc4women.org/2017/07/27/33-farai-simoyi-gc4w-top-100-women-in-the-world/|title=33. Farai Simoyi – GC4W Top 100 Women in the World.|date=27 July 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bmetro.co.zw/zim-fashion-designer-joins-bonang-beyonce-in-top-100-list/|title=Zim fashion designer joins Bonang, Beyonce in top 100 list|website=B-Metro|date=2 December 2018 }}
• Influential African Women To Watch – Ladybrille Magazine 2016{{Cite web|url=https://innov8tiv.com/20-influential-african-women-entrepreneurs-leaders-in-america-to-watch-in-2016/|title=Ladybrille's 20 Influential African Women Entrepreneurs & Leaders in America to Watch in 2016 – Innov8tiv|date=11 January 2016|website=innov8tiv.com}}
• Designer of the year – African Entertainment Awards USA{{Cite web|url=https://www.zimbojam.com/ten-zimbos-up-for-africa-entertainment-awards-usa/|title=Ten Zimbos Up for Africa Entertainment Awards USA|first=Nyasha|last=Jeche|date=20 August 2015}}
• Emerging Designer of the Year – African Diaspora Awards 2012

• Senior Designer – Nicki Minaj Collection 2013–2016{{Cite web|url=http://nehandaradio.com/2015/06/30/nicki-minaj-designer-set-for-zimbabwe-fashion-week-uk/|title=Nicki Minaj designer set for Zimbabwe Fashion Week UK|first=Nehanda|last=Radio|date=30 June 2015}}
• Head Denim & Woven's Designer – Beyonce, House of Deréon 2007 – 2010
• Curator at NYNow Fashion Runway 2019{{Cite web|url=https://nynow.com/press/press-releases/ny-now-announces-winter-2020-market-happenings-and-agenda/|title=NY NOW Announces Winter 2020 Market Happenings and Agenda | NY NOW|first=Jenn|last=Giachinta|date=31 January 2020|website=nynow.com}}{{Cite news|url=https://nynow.com/attendees/industry-insights/https-www-nynow-cominsightsnewsletter-faraisimoyi/|title=Meet Designer Farai Simoyi | NY NOW|first=Jenn|last=Giachinta|date=10 October 2019|newspaper=NY Now}}
• Fashion Contributor – Start by WGSN 2020{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-sVe0QfEcI|title=START by WGSN | Introducing Farai Simoyi|date=25 April 2022 |via=www.youtube.com}}

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Category:Living people

Category:British women fashion designers

Category:American women fashion designers

Category:American fashion designers

Category:Netflix people

Category:American people of Zimbabwean descent

Category:Shona people

Category:1983 births

Category:West Virginia University alumni