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NEW YORK - Even as a kid, she gravitated towards creative activities where she could work with her dainty hands. By the age of 6, she was sculpting, and by 7, she convinced an art studio to give her oil painting lessons even though they normally reserved the class for adults.
Her name is Layla Abramowitz, the Filipino Jewish American founder/designer of Ditu, a luxury knitwear label.
The New York-based designer struggled with the idea to go to art or fashion school, but decided that fashion would work as the medium to fulfill her artistic talents best.
“I realized around the age of 17 that I was compelled towards designing clothing, since I wanted to do something that would take as many of my interests and put them into one all-encompassing feat. I was intrigued with the challenge that apparel design offered, to fulfill basic necessity, to create a sculpture of clothing that interacted with the wearer on a physical, emotional, and intellectual level,” she told the Asian Journal in an interview.
She also realized that her diverse origins set a base for creative, unconventional thinking and a destiny for globetrotting.
In 2000 she studied at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, graduating with honors with a BFA in International Fashion Design in 2004.
During her education, Layla studied in Florence, Italy, earning FIT’s coveted “Most Creative and Artistic” design award. She additionally trained in competitive, specialized programs in England, beginning her specialization into knits, and France, where she honed tailoring and corsetry skills under a classical Parisian couturiere.
“FIT had great professors that came from the real world and would impart that experience on us as students. There are still some principals that return to me today that were only theory at the time. Sometimes, I recall something a teacher said 6 years ago that helps me come to a logical decision about something I am dealing with today,” Layla said.
“I love the freedom that comes with having my own company, having a hand in all of it, and transmitting my vision and concept and finally seeing my clothing on people who love it,” she explained, “It’s great to see someone’s demeanor change when they try on a piece and instantly feel sexier and more confident.”
During the times she designates free time for herself, Layla does her two favorite things: travel or paint.
“Sometimes I will relax at home with a paintbrush and a piece of wood or canvas or use a batch of clay and relax while I sculpt something that more often than not turns into something related to a human figure,” she said.
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