INTERVIEW
Basically a commerce student, her interest took her to St Teresa’s Institution of fashion technology where she specialized in garment designing and much later she took jewellery as one of her subjects. As a fashion designer, what attracted her to jewellery is the hidden art in creating every piece. She always has a passion to do some thing new which gives a different look for people who are always in search of new trends.
In an interview to Sreeni K.R, Divya Lenoy, the Proprietor of ‘E-llusion‘, spoke at length about the new trends in jewellery.
Do you think you are a designer with a difference?
A Designer is a creative person who can design things differently and think differently, with their products known to be exclusive and of good quality. So for me as a Designer, I would like to be known like that and I believe I am. Some different products which I make are
Ear Rings – mixed with sequins and stones used for garments, embroidery thread, wool, denim etc.
Coconut shell chains mixed with wooden beads, metal and glass beads.
Lockets made of M-seal.
I also take great care to give my customers the best quality products. I also get orders from friends and relatives to design their jewellery especially when some functions take place. They give me their garments and I design to match them.
Which is your line of designing?
From which college did you do your Fashion Designing course?
I did my Fashion Designing course at St. Teresa’s College, Ernakulam. The course was based on Garment Designing.
What are the major changes you have seen in fashion technology?
Nowadays people are more aware of Fashion and they change according to latest trends. People are ready to try out new looks and designs. They have more knowledge about fashion and Designer Products. A variety of fields are open in the Fashion field, such as Garment designing, Ornamental designing, Styling etc. Even many Institutions have come out with different courses for these. So one could choose a course in which he/she wants to specialize into. The opportunities after passing out are many. Even one could start her own business. The technologies used are also very much advanced to meet each requirement. The machineries and tools are very much advanced and when mixed with creativity, it gives good result.
What are the major differences you have seen in the attitude of Sponsors now and those during your college days?
Still most of the people here don’t give a chance to exhibit the products of a new designer. They are not ready to take a risk. During my college days, it was more difficult to get a chance to exhibit our products. But in recent times, the scenario is different. More people have come forward who welcome beginners although not in the required number. This should be avoided and beginners should be given a chance to prove themselves.
Where did you first conduct your first exhibition and what was the experience?
An Exhibition was conducted by D –Club at Women’s Association Hall, Ernakulam and the exhibition was named as ‘It’s About Us’. In D-club there are a group of Designers in different lines. When this exhibition was taking place I had just completed my Designing course and our teachers Archana Shankar and Lekha Vishwanath asked our batch students whether we would like to participate in it.Thus me and two of my friends (Nitha and Sunitha) took up a stall. The three of us decided to specialize in different items and to showcase a mixture of items in our stall. So Nitha did Kurtas, Sunitha took up hand painted sarees while I focussed on Accessories like lockets made of M-seal, Denim pouches, Glass painting and Pot painting. It was a great experience and the response was great especially for M-seal lockets. This gave a great inspiration for me to turn into Accessory Designing.
Did your educational background help you to choose fashion technology as your subject?
No, it was not my educational background but my family background which helped me to choose this field. My Dad, Mom and Dad’s sister all were very creative and used to do different things like painting, embroidery, wall hangings etc. All this gave me inspiration and also created my taste in this field. From my childhood itself I used to do many cretive works and also I loved drawing. I used to design birthday cards and gifts when there was any birthday in my family. They all supported me a lot and my Dad is the person with whom I discuss things and ask suggestions. But I didn’t have any hope of going into this field since there were no institutions here for Fashion Designing. Thus I did B.com and after that I got into a job. After working for 6months in a travel agency I felt bored and wanted to study more, so I started searching for courses and thus I found an advertisement in the papers that a fashion designing course was going to start at St. Teresa’s College. Thus I applied for it and they called me up for a creative test. I passed the test and thus I enrolled for the course.
Where do you display your products and how are they priced?
My products are being displayed at ‘AHOM’ which is a lifestyle showroom at Layam road near Woodlands. Normally people have a feel that designer products are very expensive. But I have priced my products very reasonably so that everyone could afford them.
Who is your source of inspiration?
It’s my teacher Archana Sankar, she guides me and helps me to take decisions. I always admire her at her work and she is my inspiration. I have worked with her as Designer Assistant for two years. Later when I wanted to work on products, she guided me. And it was my husband Lenoy who gave me courage to produce my own products with my brand name ‘E-llusion’. Later I found it difficult to manage both job and my own work, as time was very limited to work on my products. So I had to leave my work.
What are your future plans?
I would like to extend my line on a variety of products and experiment making things which people think is impossible.I focus on giving a different look for people who are always in search of new trends.
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