Biography on Fashion Designer

Korto Momolu

Fashion designer Korto Momolu's rise to the pinnacle of her profession is a testimonial to perseverance and faith. Korto, educated in a Canadian boarding school, was unable to return home due to the war in her native Liberia prior to her senior year in high school. Her parents were able to escape to Canada and join Korto and her sister, but were forced to leave everything behind but the clothes on their backs. This displaced family was suddenly thrust into a new life in a strange country leaving relatives and all they had known up to now behind.

Upon her graduation Korto was accepted into one of the top design schools in Canada, but was unable to attend because of a lack of resources. Her story as a designer might have ended at this point except for the determination of her mother and the generosity of a stranger.

Korto's mother found her daughter's sketch book and was the first to realize she really had talent. Her mother became "her biggest fan" and shared her daughter's designs with whoever would look. A stranger, a woman from their church, "one of my angels in life" also recognized Korto's raw talent and believing that Korto should not wait to go to school generously paid her tuition so she could attend a local school.

Initially, Korto was reluctant to go, and was considering a career in law, but her mother pressured her to attend, telling her daughter they would find a way. This was a pivotal experience in the young girl's life, "your attitude is so much…you always have to have faith…my mom taught me what faith was." Korto's unwavering belief in herself and her ability to make it no matter how dim the light has propelled her to the successful career she enjoys today.

When Korto graduated from school she was recognized as one of the top three in her class despite the fact she could not sew. She kicked around in Canada for a while, eventually teaching design at a school for emigrant women founded by her mother. Eventually, she decided to return to school in Georgia. As fate would have it she got married on December 31, 1999 and ended up in Little Rock, Arkansas.

While this move may have slowed her career Korto would not let it stop her. The future designer became the number one hair braider in Little Rock. During this period she continued to work on her designs and after a few setbacks decided to take matters into her own hands and put on her own fashion show. The show's success created quite a "buzz" and doors began to open.

Korto's unwavering belief in her own talent led to international acclaim and exposure on Project Runway. Korto refuses to let her fashion sense be dictated by convention and designs clothes that "express what I want." Korto's uniqueness stems from the way she designs her clothes not only for style, but for versatility and comfort. The designer confesses she likes curvy things and detains straight hems. Korto admits she designs clothes she would like to wear to work combining colors and textures to achieve the look she desires. She has found success in a male dominated industry and purports to be her own muse.