DITU: The Role of Star Wars in this Pinay’s Growing Fashion Empire

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DITU: The Role of Star Wars in this Pinay’s Growing Fashion Empire
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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.

Upon her graduation, Layla gained invaluable experience working in New York alongside Zac Posen on his ready-to-wear collection, then in China with international luxury brand Ports1961.

“The part that prepared me to face the real world was the pace, the workload, mixed with the life experiences that taught me to be resourceful. Traveling to another country, finding an apartment, a job, going on a trip, all had different challenges in a different language and culture,” she reminisced vividly.

Not a lot of people know that Layla Abramowitz has Filipino blood running through her veins.

“I am 50% Filipino, as my mother was born in the Philippines. Our Filipino side has some Spanish roots. My father is Jewish-American (the other 50%), and I am classified as 100% American according to my passport,” she quipped.

Layla grew up eating a mix of foods, which included pancit, egg rolls, champorado (chocolate rice porridge), Mocha cake, and lechon.

“I didn’t eat it every day, since it was a bit of trek to find Filipino food. My favorites are lechon pig, egg rolls with raisins, and ensaymadas with macapuno (coconut),” she added.

Layla’s mom was born in Manila and grew up in Quezon City.

“I’ve learned from her to persevere, to be the exception to the rule, to keep going, to take risks. She’s strong and understands about business, people, and family, and works hard to be the exception in what she does,” Layla said.

According to Layla, her mom constantly thinks about new projects and learn new things. “She is perhaps the kindest and most generous person I know,” she added.

Asked why she named her brand Ditu, Layla replied, “Ditu is my name. It was actually my first name on my birth certificate. My parents were Star Wars fanatics, to the point where they named my brother after Aubi-one-Kanobe, as he was the first child. As the second, I was named Ditu. They almost named my sister Cethri, i.e. C3PO,” she shared.

Now, Ditu has become a luxury knitwear label merging the avant-garde with chic wear-ability and Layla is happy with the Star Wars connection.

“As a name for my brand, I liked that the connections were related to the saga of Star Wars, which related to technology, the future, and religious history. It represents global interests, meaning ‘Map’ in Pin-Ying. And at the end of the day the name relates directly to the part of me that is different,” she said. (www.asianjournal.com)

(Published November 12, 2008 p.mgzn5 LAMDWK)

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