Suliya Swu , a graduate from the International Institute of Fashion Technolgy is loyal to her ethnic roots, incorporating and highlighting her culture in her designs.
She believes the art of fashion is in the simplicity of design with unique sprinkles of inspiration.
Read on to get creative with Suliya.
EASTERN MIRROR: When did you realize you wanted to work in fashion? How did you get into fashion?
SULIYA SWU: Fashion designing to me was a childhood ambition. During my course in the fashion institute I realized the depth of my interest and that I had the potential to express the art of designing. It was hard work and inspiration that made me achieve who I am today.
EASTERN MIRROR: There are ethnic influences in your designs; what is the response of people towards the ethnic touch in your pieces?
SULIYA SWU: Honestly the response has always been positive till date both in Nagaland as well as other states. Every designer should speak of their rich diverse culture and their designs and so my designs are mostly a fusion of ethnic and western wear. We Nagas are blessed with colorful and splendid traditional wear which are highly appraised beyond the boundaries of the state.
EASTERN MIRROR: Where do you look for inspiration and how does that inspiration turn into reality?
SULIYA SWU: Inspiration comes always with originality we have our original traditional wear which has proved very influential and inspirational to me. Of course, western wear was the true classic which has always motivated and has also been a great part of my inspiration. Inspiration comes in the due process of creation. One creation always gives way to the second creation, well in a lighter note hard work and determination are the two ingredients that makes my inspiration turn into reality.
EASTERN MIRROR: How would you describe your personal style? And what is your biggest fashion turn off?
SULIYA SWU: I prefer comfortable perfect color -match and sharp -look dresses, and I also prefer to wear jeans with a T. My biggest fashion turn off probably are the dresses which compromise the modesty and decency of women.
EASTERN MIRROR: Tell us about your recently organized “Mode Volk” fashion show. How far would you like to take the Mode Volk edition?
SULIYA SWU: Through MODE Volk fashion show we provide a platform specially to promote young upcoming designers and models too. And we are also planning to promote a fashion magazine in Nagaland which is purely about fashion. I’m glad that our recent MODE Volk fashion show was successful. We also invite designers from outside so that the upcoming designers from Nagaland get to learn and experience more.
This time we invited Femina Miss East India 2012, who was also the top ten finalist of Femina Miss India, Himakshi Agarwala to give our upcoming models pointers on how to be confident on stage when they go out of the state and compete in the industry. And we the mode Volk team are also planning to organize fashion shows twice a year.
Your opinion about Fashion in Nagaland. What changes would you like to see in the fashion industry of Nagaland?
Nagas have embraced the east and the west as well as the European lifestyle which adds much to our changing fashion lifestyle today. Nagas are pretty advanced with regard to fashion and know how to present themselves fashionably for every occasion. We have become stylish in designs and sharp in dressing.
I would like to say that together with our progress with fashion, we should also try to promote our rich traditional attire and accessories and include them in our activities.
