Spero Villioti
Tell us about yourself?
I trained at the College of Fashion in London. After I graduated I worked at the London-based fashion house, Frank Usher, as a full-time junior designer and then senior designer. I started Spero Villioti Couture in South Africa but continued as a senior designer for Frank Usher on a freelance basis, designing five international collections a year – spring, summer, autumn, winter and a cruise line. I have been running my own fashion business in South Africa for the past 25 years and am still loving every minute of it.
What is your favourite part about being a fashion designer?
I love being able to share my knowledge with the amazing, talented, young designers at my academy.
Who are some of your favourite designers?
There are so many beautiful designers out there, but if I had to choose, internationally, I would say Tom Ford and Elie Saab. And locally, I would choose a designer from our Spero Villioti Elite Design Academy family, Ryan Keys.
Describe your brand’s style?
My designs are elegant and sophisticated, never vulgar.
How has your work evolved and what are your future plans for your brand?
My future plans would be to grow the Spero Villioti brand as much as possible, as well as develop and grow the Spero Villioti Elite Design Academy as I feel there is a need for young designers to master international standard and skills.
What is the most difficult aspect of running your own label?
The process of making sure that the garment or product is of the finest quality. Attention to detail is always something that is important to me.
What more can be done to encourage people to support local designers?
More marketing needs to be done to launch the careers of new designers to create awareness of young talent and to help mentor and guide new fashion hopefuls, so that they can help improve the South African fashion industry. That’s why I think that AFI Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg is such a wonderful platform to showcase what our country has to offer.
What’s your motto?
Pay utmost attention to detail.
Tickets to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Jo burg, from R 100 to R 250 per show, are available from www.webticket.co.za. Visit www.africanfashioninternational.com for the full designer schedule.