We were lucky to catch up with George “Geetyga” Thobias recently and have shared our conversation below.

George “Geetyga”, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I believe it is important for people to go for what they believe in! My strongest advice is simple: believe in yourself. Don’t listen to what everyone else has to say. Go for what you believe truly in.

Don’t give up, even though things will get hard at times. Keep your chin up and keep moving.

In my own career as a fashion designer and creative director, I have taken risks. One of the biggest risks has been to my money to invest in my business without the expectation of a return anytime soon. I keep investing in my business, knowing that the day would eventually come when everything will be okay.

George “Geetyga”, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am Geetyga, the CEO & Creative Director of CxG Zanzibar. I got my start in the fashion industry about 8 years ago, doing high fashion modeling. At the end of 2020, I committed myself to be the creator and trendsetter for luxury fashion – launching my own brand called CxG Zanzibar.

CxG Zanzibar provides luxury fashion for the culture. We believe that it is time for the finest pieces of modern wardrobe staples to flatter the natural anatomy of the African diaspora – our curves, our shapes, and our originality. I make sure that my clothing size charts go beyond the limits of standard European traditions, providing inclusivity for the most common forms of self-expression: fashion.

My brand hit its first runway in 2021 at the Zanzibar International Fashion Festival, where I won 2021-2022 Upcoming Designer of the Year. Thereafter, I moved on to an even larger platform in 2022 – Swahili Fashion Week. We turned a lot of heads that year, and were accepted to showcase at SA Menswear Fashion Week in March 2023, in Cape Town. We will now be launching our brand in Flying Solo stores in Manhattan, New York on August 1st! Check us out there in-store or online.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I believe that society can give creatives more room to show up as they are. There shouldn’t be limits on how people express themselves. The more accepting we are, the more courage creatives will have to be themselves.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to show the world that Africa has a story to tell. Young designers like myself, born and raised in Africa, can be better or just as good as other designers like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Balmain. We have the ability to be bigger and better than other brands, without trying to be exactly the same.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cxgzanzibar.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cxg_zanzibar/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CxG-Zanzibar-101292112438693
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/cxg_zanzibar

Image Credits
Image Credits: srdphoto | 42ave.co