There’s no age limit at becoming successful at anything you set your mind to! This is a great way to describe our Get Down With Guest for today, Milky Thomas. She is a 16 year old Ethiopian  fashion designer and the youngest fashion designer to showcase at the just ended FIAFA 2018. Milky now manages her own fashion line called ML fashion. She started designing at the early age of 9 with handmade bracelets, earrings, necklaces and later moved on to clothes. She’s fully aware of the technical skills, design knowledge and uniqueness that makes a good fashion designer. Like most African teenagers, Milky’s parents have other plans for her but while they make sure she forges ahead with education, they support her design dreams by funding her fashion line. Grab a snack and get to know the talented and passionate Milky Thomas.

FabAfriq Magazine: Describe Milky in 6 words?

Milky Thomas: Milky is kind, helpful, strong, passionate, target-oriented and self-trained.

FabAfriq Magazine: What inspired you to start up your own fashion brand ML?

Milky Thomas:  I just started designing with no peculiar inspiration just my daring nature for trying out new things. My brand name ML stands for Milky Luli. Luli is a nickname given to me by my grandmother meaning “extraordinary” and Milky means “Lucky”. Therefore I picked that name with the belief that my designs will turn out just like the name.

FabAfriq Magazine: So far are there any challenges you’ve encountered as a young female designer in the broad world of fashion?

Milky Thomas: I haven’t experience any challenge in the broad world of fashion yet.My lone challenge now is dealing with school and fashion designing.

FabAfriq Magazine: Being a form five student, how do you joggle your studies and designing career?

Milky Thomas: As a form five student, it is a bit hard to manage designing and school. I design on the weekends and when there is a scheduled exhibition event, I put in extra time for designing than studying.I do compensate for the lost study time by staying up all night or even after mid-night which is really not easy.

FabAfriq Magazine: For how long have you been designing and what’s your favorite piece so far?

Milky Thomas: It’s been four years now I started designing and my favourite piece so far is jewelleries.

FabAfriq Magazine: An advice to youths aspiring to join the fashion world?

Milky Thomas: I’ll advise youths like myself to follow their heart and passion.Believe in their talent and learn while at it. To never give up on what they believe and be optimistic at all times.

Follow Milky Thomas on social media

Facebook: Milky Thomas

Instagram: ML.Fashion

Email: milky_thomas@yahoo.com