PIUS ELIZABETH OKIEMUTE is a 6th year medical student at a University in Ukraine. She is 22 and a self taught fashion designer. She is the CEO of DEFINURA. She specialises in custom made clothing. She is also a brand influencer.
Why did you choose fashion designing despite the huge competition?
Fashion is what I love and it makes me happy, it is also an opportunity for me to step outside my comfort zone. I’m the kind of person that loves a challenge, anxiety or pressure and competition improves my performance to excel. the fashion industry provides the ideal environment for you to thrive. With trends rotating and fading in and out of fashion, the industry is ever changing, and as a part of that industry you need to be prepared for that constant change.
Also being a good fashion designer will enable you meet people and make contacts. Working in fashion allows you to meet so many people, all with different backgrounds, experiences and stories. You can learn a lot from the people around you in the fashion industry. Knowing the right people can open doors to a world of opportunities.
How long have you been a fashion designer?
I have been a fashion designer for about 3 years.
What inspired you to be a fashion designer?
Art and Fashion were among my first passion and hobby. The main reason I became a designer was because it was something that made me truly happy. I love design and I love learning about design(anything and everything). I never imagined I could work in any other field. For as long as I can remember, I always knew I wanted to do my own thing. I was just never satisfied with people making my clothes for me .
I was always very interested in dressing well. I now enjoy constructing garments on the sewing machine and seeing the end result of my designs. when I was growing up, I would watch a lot of fashion shows, and I was inspired to start sketching even when I didn’t know how to sew .I find inspiration in almost everything – places, music, books, people…From the time I was in secondary school, I knew I wanted to be a fashion designer, but I was repeatedly told that I could never make a living through a career in fashion designing. A proof someone could make a living in the field of fashion was all the inspiration I needed to begin my career in fashion(which I got). I became a designer because I love creating beautiful things. There is an unexplainable thing that happens to me when I see design that inspires me ,It’s almost like a little fire inside makes me want to run to my sketchbook to get my ideas out. It’s that fire that keeps me going everyday of my life.I feel complete, fulfilled and I absolutely love what I do. fashion is part of who I am. It’s the one thing in life that calms me and excites me at the same time.
Finally, I would say that designing is the way I found to create my own vision, and to express myself. I honestly don’t know what else I would want to do with my life!
And that, is the reason I became a designer.
Who do you look up to?
I look up to my father because he is strong, hardworking, independent, and taught me how to stand up for myself and make the best out of every opportunity. I also feel like I’m growing up everyday with all the people I’m surrounded by. All my friends are very creative. They all inspire me and in a way they’re building me.
What are the challenges you face being a fashion designer??
My biggest challenges are; Time, Money, Competition on price, Good management skills and availability of fabric.There are lots of ideas but not enough funds to make it a reality. Fashion is a business where you need money in every step, to make quality designs, to market it and promote it. And I feel like I don’t have good management skills that is why after Med School I will like to enroll in a fashion school and learn more. I am a medical student and must say , it is not so easy as a medical student to also be a fashion designer as they are two separate things and both need serious attention, I find it hard most times to do both at the same time. Also, availability of fabric is another challenge for me, it is very difficult for me to get good quality and unique fabrics here in Ukraine.
Do you have any other job apart from being a fashion designer?
I am currently a final year medical student,I am not done with school yet so no other job unless I can call being a brand influencer a job . I am a brand influencer, brand ambassador..I have worked with so many brands for the past two years, and I get paid for it
Tell us more about your fashion brand?
There is not so much right now as being in medical school is limiting me, but once I graduate there will be more. Right now I just specialized custom made clothing in the little free time I have. The name of my clothing brand is Definura
Do you intend expanding your business?
Yes of course I will expand my business, that is the point of the whole thing. But first of all I want to enroll in a fashion school and get more professionally skills and also make a name for myself. Right now I am just a self taught fashion designer, I believe if I am professional trained, it would be the best thing that has happened to me and the fashion industry.
If you have to choose a profession apart from fashion designing what would it be?
Although I have more passion for fashion designing, I could be a doctor, a model and I could also sing since I love singing too.
Where do you really see great growth opportunities (medicine or fashion designing)?
All I can say is I have more passion fashion designing. I will just let God direct me.
Your biggest fear?
My biggest fear is loosing a family member, I am very close to my family especially my father. I lost my mum when I was 10 and since then I’ve been so scared of loosing another family member. Apart from that, honestly, there is nothing specific that I fear
As a classy fashion designer, give us 7 tips of improving fashion skills
(1) Learn how to tell the difference or identify a good design from a bad one
(2) Be ready to make mistakes and learn from your mistakes
(3) Push yourself hard, come out of your comfort zone and don’t give up
(4) Read about fashion designing, watch YouTube videos, train yourself everyday.
(5) Think about your personal design style as your trademark. You want people to recognize your work and the best reward is when other designers try to copy you. It’s annoying but it will make you proud
(6) If you don’t have any personal projects or work at hand, create one and pretend like you are doing a job for someone, it will help build yourself. Don’t settle for the first idea that comes to your head, have a creative mind, even if you make mistakes.
(7) Teach people what you know, this is a very vital step. The more you teach the more you know.sharing your knowledge is a great way to learn as well.
It doesn’t matter how good you are today, what matters is how fast you grow and the steps you take everyday to improve your skills
Words of inspiration for aspiring fashion designers?
There is a lot of scope and opportunities for aspiring designers today. You have to be passionate, driven and always remember that there is no shortcut to success. Creativity is a work in progress, so continue to enhance it and never set boundaries or limit yourself. People will try to talk you down especially when you make mistakes. Always remember that it is okay to make mistakes. People might hate what you do but there are still people that love what you do.
What are your hobbies?
I love sewing, cooking, make up and singing
Where are you from?
I’m a Nigerian from Delta State.
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