Liyingbeni Odyou, adoring designer from Nagaland chitchat with Eastern Mirror today and spill the bean on people’s perception with NIFT and Pearl Acadamey that if you are not a student of NIFT and pearl than you are not making it to the fashion industry, but she has broken all st hi. Lying as she is called says that if she was not a fashion designer she have no idea what she would be.
EASTERN MIRROR: Tell us about your first stint in fashion designing.
Liyingbeni Odyuo: It happened right after I graduated from YWCA College, Delhi. I started working and spend 6 ½ years in Delhi with Neel Kamal Export, Samson Garments, Orient Craft Ltd and Richa Global Pvt.Ltd. I was working as Assistant Designer for Richa Global Pvt.Ltd and later as Senior Designer. I also worked with ‘Connect Studio’ Dimapur as Head Designer for 1 ½ year. That was my first stint as a designer before I eventually worked with branched out, on my own with my unit.
EM: Have your pieces become more appealing to people?
LO: Yes, I think so. Before working on any piece I take into consideration people’s perception with clothes and I don’t spend time working on clothes which is not wearable. My pieces are comfortable and simple and accordingly getting good response. I am also launching my own label ‘Liying’ which means ‘Create’ in Lotha dialect very soon.
EM: What is the fashion trend that you have avoided and would never make an attempt to?
LO: There is no particular trend that I have avoided or would never make an attempt to coz I don’t usually follow trend. Even if I follow I make sure that my designs are simple and add fusion to it.
EM: What is the biggest lesson you have learned since working here in Nagaland?
LO: I’m very happy with what I have achieved. While in Delhi I was working for a brand where we would get orders in bulk and there were no personal contacts with our clients. But in Nagaland there is a close contact with the consumers/customers which is an added bonus for us as we get to know their taste. But Nagas are in a way adamant with their choices even if certain fashion does not suit them or look good on them. There is no trust on the designers and decide on their choices when we try to suggest on something. So I am also working to deal on it.
EM: What are you fascinated with at the moment and does it attribute your work?
LO: I’m loving digital prints at the moment. I love looking at the different types of color blocks and how it’s used, how it’s formed, the incredible variety in colors, everything but in minimal. I’m in love with this idea of being fresh and looking bright.
EM: You have been involved working out of the state for many years. What has that experience attributed to your present work involvement?
LO: The work experience outside the state is huge and I would encourage people to have some experience working outside. Without work experience you get edgy. During my stint with Richa Global Pvt.Ltd I was send to New York and London for product presentation through which I came face to face with the fashion world. The experience with the outside world let you know the amount of work involved and this is serving with my work currently.
EM: With a flood of designers in the state how do you stand out?
LO: I think every designer has their own design visual that makes them stand out. For the moment I am trying to make a living with one step at a time. But I would say I do what is comfortable and avoid following trend if the present trend is not comfortable for the people.
EM: What do you want people to feel when wearing your designs?
LO: People today seem willing to dress in a different way from one another. I see lots of people putting efforts to look good. I want people to feel comfortable and beautiful when wearing my designs. It is not possible to please all but my designs should appeal the mass and appreciate it.
EM: What would you like to achieve before the end of this year?
LO: By the end of this year I definitely want my unit to grow so that I can employ more people giving them a chance to learn as well and I want to work on full fledged bridal collection.
