Meet Fred Eboka, who went from being cab driver to top designer
- Fred Eboka worked as a cab driver while studying in the US
- He became a fashion designer and founded House of Eboka
- His designs have been worn by famous people such as Dr Tshepo Motsepe and Graça Machel
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Fred Eboka, the founder of fashion design brand House of Eboka, went from being a cab driver to designing outfits for the elite.
According to TimesLIVE, the Sandton-based Fred was born and grew up in Lagos, Nigeria.
He found his passion for fashion design at a young age by simply giving his sisters advice on style trends.
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He then moved to the US for his visual design studies in the 1980s, Briefly.co.za learned. To make ends meet as he obtained two degrees, he worked as a cab driver.
Fred recalled how he suffered racist abuse as a black man, including from his fellow students. He also won a university-based design competition.
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The competition was adjudicated anonymously, but when it was revealed that he was the winner, he didn't get the job that was promised to the winner.
However, Fred never gave up. He moved to South Africa and started House of Eboka. Over the past 25 years, it has grown tremendously. He now co-runs it with his daughter Tinuke Eboka.
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House of Eboka has dressed many high profile personalities, including former First Lady Graça Machel, current First Lady Dr Tshepo Motsepe, and the late singer Miriam Makeba.
Fred said fashion design is a fulfilling career:
Fashion is ever evolving, but style remains a constant. And making women look and feel their best is the ultimate goal that is enormously satisfying.
Watch a hilarious animated video below from our Briefly - South Africa YouTube channel.
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Source: Briefly News
