Valentine blazes to becomes boss

Generation Next : Congratulations on your win. How was the winning experience like?

Valentine: Thanks a lot. It was unbelievably overwhelming. When they called out my name, I almost passed out because of excitement. Sometimes I still feel like I am living a dream.

GN: What do you hope to achieve with the cash prize won?

Val: I intent to grow 'V designs' which is my fashion design brand. The V stands for Valentine. The brand caters to plus size women.

GN: At 19, you were the youngest contestant in the house. Did you feel like you had more work to do so you could prove yourself?

Val: Definitely. At that age, my level of exposure was not as good as the other contestants'. Many times I had to fight for my space within the competition and I am glad that it yielded positive results.

GN: Were you always into fashion, or was it an art you have learnt in school?

Val: I am pursuing a course in IT and Business at Multimedia University. So I did not learn fashion from school. Fashion is a way of life for me and this has been the case for a long time. My love for fashion got enhanced when I was in high school. We would have beauty pageants at Moi Girls High School and I would be called forth to come up with creative designs for the models.

GN: Do you have siblings and are they into fashion as well?

Val: I am the only child to my late mother. I was however raised by my relatives together with my 12 siblings. They are very smart at what they do, but only few of them are involved in fashion. However, we all support each other in our dreams and endeavors.

GN: What was the most challenging phase of the competition for you?

Val: That would definitely be the first episode. I had a difficult time keeping up with the artiste I was supposed to work with and had even been put up for eviction. I almost crumbled under the pressure. Even the judges noticed with Caroline Mutoko thinking I would run away.

GN: How did you get back to the competition spirit?

Val: I gave myself a pep talk. I told myself that I had everything it took to shine and even win the competition so all I had to do was keep pushing to the top. It worked.

GN: Did you make friends with the other contestants?

Val: Funny thing is that Safe Joe, the first runner-up, was the first friend I made when I entered the competition. Even then, the challenges made sure that people got to know each other better.

GN:Are there significant changes since your win?

Val: Yes. These days my life is not just mine alone. I have to share it with people that celebrate me, media people who want to interview me, social media fans and so many more. It a good thing but it can get overwhelming.

GN: Who are some of the people you look up?

Val: Patricia Mbela who has built her brand so diversely and is even mentoring women in remote villages, Vin Clizz, Vaishani and Lady Latoya all of who are Kenyan designers doing exemplary work.

GN: You were a student when you joined the competition, do you feel like that has disrupted your school work?

Val: I am still a student and learning as much as I can wherever I go. The experience at Blaze taught me so much that I might not have learnt in class, but at the end of the day, getting that degree is paramount for me so I will be back.

GN: Your advice to Kenyan youths who would love to be in your position?

Val: Stay ready so that when an opportunity presents itself, you will be in a position to take it and capitalize on it.