Samson Soboye

Samson Soboye (37), a graduate of Central St Martins College worked as a freelance fashion stylist and as a sales manager at a fashionable design boutique. With a steady flow of orders and commissions for his own home couture and accessories collection (predominantly handmade fur and leather designs), Samson decided to leave the security of full-time employment to focus on his own business and was immediately given one of the top spots at the Maison et Object show in Paris.

Going to trade shows is a costly affair but brought Samson large orders from international fashion houses including DKNY. A dream come true - unfortunately in reality he found it difficult to supply such high quality products on a dramatically larger scale.

Samson truly believes that to compete in the fashion industry you have to push yourself and make sacrifices but is wary of taking on large loans.

"I have faith in myself and in my products. I see adversities as challenges and truly believe that life would be boring without them."