LEARN COUTURE SEWING TECHNIQUES! 17+ years experience running my own luxe custom made bridal and eveningwear label! HSC and Fashion School Students Welcome!

Find out more about Souraya

• When did you start practising? How did this passion find you?

  I learnt how to sew from the age of 12. From a very young age, I always had an interest in fashion. Using my mothers walk in the wardrobe as a personal space to play dress-ups, creating flamboyant outfits, was my favourite pastime. High school gave me my first opportunity to sit at a sewing machine and sew a garment and I just knew that fashion was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Having studied a scholarship fashion diploma, working in ready to wear and couture I learned that couture was what I wanted to create. Extravagant gowns and outfits! I was given a rare opportunity to open my own store at the age of 21 designing and hand-making bridal and evening gowns for private clients.

• Which artists or works inspire you the most?

  All the high-end couture designers both past and present: Chanel, Dior, Elie Saab, Basil Soda, Georges Chakra, Alexander McQueen, Oscar De La Renta, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, James Worth, Maison Martin Margiela... to name a few! And I'm always exploring seasonal RTW and Couture collections to stay updated with new designers and new trends.

• What are the specific qualities or skills required to succeed in this area?

  An intense passion. It is not an easy industry to get into or to survive in so your passion needs to be strong, almost personal. You need a willingness or eagerness to learn and evolve with the industry and new trends to stay relevant. All the other skills can be learned.

• What is the most valuable advice you can give to help someone stay focused on creative projects?

  Stay true to yourself as a creative. Create things that you love and never compare yourself to other designers. Time management is the key to success! Give yourself goals and deadlines and stick to them.

• How would you describe your passion; how does it make you feel?

  I truly believe that creativity is genetic, it's seeded inside you and you are inspired by everything around you - people, nature, music, culture and if you listen to your instincts your creative flair will thrive. When I come up with a new design, I get excited to create it. When i am working for a private client the most exciting part is the finish when the perfect fit and attention to detail shines and the client beams in their gown - my happiness comes from that sense of satisfaction. When tutoring, seeing each student bring their ideas to life with the skills and techniques I pass on to them is magic for me! Seeing students go on to experiment and create using the fundamentals I teach them is fulfilling.

• What creative achievements are you particularly proud of?

  Creating memories and being part of very special milestones in the lives of my private clients. And seeing my students succeed in their careers and or go on to start their own successful businesses. My red carpet design I have created which generated positive media buzz.

• Have you ever been surprised by a student; by their ability or quick progression?

  Yes, always! My lessons are one on one so the time spent teaching the design, patternmaking and sewing skills and techniques, in detail and seeing my students absorb all this information and take that to the next level makes me so proud.

• Being a Superprof is an art! What is your secret?

  My passion for couture design and sewing and my desire to teach these skills with a focus on teaching in an alternative way to traditional fashion courses and seeing students learn and succeed is my secret!