Dr. Thokozane Dyosini who is the sole founder of the brand #SeeYouAtGraduation, is the visionary behind the brand. She is a black, female and 31 with a doctorate.
“I [also] have two amazing people who work on my team. Amukelani and Ndyebo are an integral part of the team and they make the brand what it is becoming,” said Dr.Thokozane.
Speaking to Mgosi, Dyosini told us that she chose to get into the fashion industry as clothing is a good way to express yourself and get a message across.
“Putting on a # SeeYouAtGraduation sweater or hoody gives me the ability to strive to do my best in that day. Being able to affirm that phrase and remind myself how amazing that feeling will be when I reach the finish line. It is also very easy to cater to different people through fashion. We can use colours, designs and material that stands out and is still very comfortable and affordable.”
The designer added, “clothing is a good entry point as it’s something you can market yourself as a designer. Being able to create something and wear it speaks volumes. It evokes interest and attention.
When I printed the first sweater and the first mug and posted it on social media, I got such an overwhelming positive response. It made me want to be more creative and share more of my passion and creativity.”
Clothing, as explained, is also a good start for production because one can shop around for the best quality products and easily adjustable to what the brand seeks to look like, and how it wants to make people feel.
“Wearing our sweaters or hoodies feels like receiving a warm hug,” said the inventor.
#SeeYouAtGraduation
The name of the brand which is called #SeeYouAtGraduation aims to empower students to realise their dreams by encouraging them to complete their studies. Giving students an opportunity to see other students striving as they work towards their qualifications from different walks of life.
“We aim to support students where they are and assist them to move forward even if it’s a virtual conversation. It’s takes a lot to complete a qualification. Having to wake up and studying at odd hours, studying under difficulty circumstances, there are many dynamics that discourage our students so we want to be a pillar of hope and support.
We aim to create community engagement where students will one day mentor each other,” Thokozane told the publication.
The brand is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Although the founders do not have a store yet. They however manage to reach people through social media, word of mouth and other forms of media (interviews, tv, radio).
In discussion of what inspired the designer to start the brand, she expressed that this brand started when she was studying her Honours degree. A tough year of having to adjust to postgraduate studies, she continued:
“It was such a tough year, and it was hard to adjust to postgraduate studies. The brand started as a WhatsApp group where my friends and I were encouraging each other to meet our submission targets knowing that we were working towards graduating.
Visibility of academic success, progress and failure stories is important. Students don’t have to feel isolated. Thai brand has carried me through 3 postgraduate qualifications, I wouldn’t have reached the doctoral level without it. It gave me something to look forward to and work towards even when I thought I couldn’t do it.”
HOPES AND DREAMS
#SeeYouAtGraduation’s main objectives is to create products that appeal to students. Give them hope in understanding that there is a rainbow at the end of the storm.
This brand seeks to assist students with the throngs they need. To give them confidence to work towards completing their qualifications. We found this inspiring and asked the founders what their plans look like, and this was their response:
“This brand stands in the gap of making students feel seen, we often suffer in silence and make sure we do our best to reach the finish like.
But, we have learned that they appropriate someone sharing their honest and authentic academic journey, people can relate to that.”
In essence the brand is seen as being a household name and working on a larger scale where every university has products that encourage and support their students to reach their graduation day. Highlighting the significance of that moment when you attain your qualification after having worked very hard for it.
What makes this brand unique and stand out from the rest, is the fact no one has a similar idea. It is the first we have heard of it. And props to them!
“Growing up we didn’t have many role models in education and when we got to university we felt that gap of being first generation graduation graduates. It’s important that we leave a legacy for the siblings, friends, neighbors and everyone else looking up to us. This is their legacy. W ware the first of our kind, having a brand that speaks directly to students, for students, by students.”
In approximately 5 years, this brand hopes to be one of the most impactful brands in education. Supporting students and creating opportunities for them to grow through various workshops, products and services that speak to student needs.
“Thinking about the future, we want to have a lather footprint in Africa, catering for students who need a little bit of positivity to get them through their studies by wearing our products and experiencing our online an in person workshops,” Thokozane continued.
Least favourite thing about being a designer: “Managing the moving parts of production. I’m grateful for my team, they are very passionate about the brand and they work hard towards making sure they push, prepare and pioneer it in spaces where it can be impactful.
Sometimes things change, we have to alter orders and make lag minute executive decisions on sizing, colours and stock which leaves some people unhappy and managing those aspects is sometimes challenging,” the brand owner stated.
FUN FACTS:
- The founder of the brand is a qualified teacher by profession and I work in higher education.This is interesting because my passion for students started very early and it’s still carrying me now.
- She has now completed my doctorate. And is once again going to SEE YOU AT GRADUATION in her red gown.
- Dyosini also has two amazing people who work on my team, Amukelani and Ndyebo.