Fashion week flew by in a fury of fashion shows and the buzz of the tents of New York. Photographers, buyers and media personnel all clamored to see next season’s styles, flops and the star-studded audience. The cutting, stitching, designing and cat walking, however, are not confined to the finale at the tents. Exciting, edgy designers exist beyond the flaps of Bryant Park tents.

NKOSIS pronounced ne–ko-sis emerged on the fashion playing field in 1997. Stemming from the Swahili word that means ruler, NKOSIS promotes “your clothes, your rules.” Led by Jamaican born Sean Taylor, the NKOSIS team insists on creating “not just a garment but one that looks good on you”: your body your style.

The vision began in a Miami shopping mall. Looking at kids wearing T-shirts of a noted designer, Taylor drove home thinking, “He could do it, so can we”. They began with T-shirts then grew into casual Friday designs and now have three distinct divisions: Semi Couture, Sports Wear, and Custom designs.  Designers Jasen Ryder, Marquel Pettway and Taylor lead the design team. Fashion ledge had the pleasure of talking to Sean Taylor as he tugged us into to the world that defined the spirit of NKOSIS.

FL: Would you like to one day be in Fashion Week?
Taylor: Fashion week would be a dream come true, having a store on Fifth Avenue would be a major accomplishment.

FL: Tell me, what’s your vision for NKOSIS?
Taylor: “Oh man, do you have the time?”

We made the time as Taylor passionately told of his dream to be known internationally as one of the top designers, “a household name.” He wanted to create an entire corporation that comprised of a clothing company, a photography studio, a music studio, and even a hotel: an “NKOSIS strip.”

Our reality can only be as big as our dreams and our ability to overcome the challenges. When asked about his greatest challenge Taylor candidly admitted, “finding dedicated people, whose work style matched their voice. Whether it is a model, seamstress or even a photographer.”

FL: Who or what inspires your designs?
Taylor: The individual. We look at them and want to make them look better, design clothes that fit their shape. We like to find material that’s unique that provides flexibility in style and color. Our goal is to have happy confident clients.

FL: Which designers do you admire?
Taylor: Sean Coombs, I like his vision and business sense and Ermenegildo Zegna, I like his style.  He makes clothing for the individual and designs his own patterns and material. I would like to get to this level.