Sanenlong of Ungma Village after having graduated from Fazl Ali College went on to pursue a one- year diploma course in fashion designing from NEIFT Guwahati. Even before he pursued the diploma course, at a young age, Sanen developed his interest in fashion and would sketch croquis, dresses and even stitch them.
Although he believes in improving more and working harder, so far, with his handful of clients, his brand sanen_designs has been receiving much love and appreciation which makes him more enthusiastic to work and find joy in the work he does.
Here is Mokokchung Times trying to know more about Sanen and his designs:
MTimes: Could you tell us about how your journey of designing for other people all began? I mean, it could be a cloth you stitched for the first time, the first design you brought to reality and likewise…just walk us through your journey.
Sanen: My interest in fashion designing began early in my life. I can remember reading fashion magazines, sketching croquis, designing and stitching clothes for a Barbie doll owned by my sister. My interest blossomed while I was in higher secondary and was able to create clothes for my siblings and cousins. But, the one piece that made people believe in me and my work was a dress I created for a friend; a crimson beaded A-line dress with a touch of our traditional attire. People started patting on my back and I started receiving orders from people in my locality. That’s how it all started and I can remember I barely got time for studies.
MTimes: So, after graduation you went ahead for a fashion course. Was it challenging for you to take such an unusual step in our society? What was your family’s reaction to your choices?
Sanen: After graduation, I had interest in different fields and was confused to pick the best for me as a career. My mind was already set to continue my master’s degree, but somewhere there in the corner, music was something I wanted to pursue since I used to, and still, sing in different occasions and events. But I was like, no; the way fashion designing intrigued me was at another level. No one knew but I had sleepless nights thinking about it. And finally I made up my mind and decided to go for this field called “fashion designing”.
It was hard, but my parents always stood by my side and supported me in whatever I do. They always have been my pillar of strength, and being the eldest son, they believed in me and I believed in myself.
MTimes: What is it you like best about being a fashion designer and what does fashion mean to you?
Sanen: The best thing I like about being a fashion designer is the element of freedom I have in my creations. I always have the opportunity to experiment and try new things, likewise I’m not afraid to fail, and use any mistakes as lessons to improve my designs and avoid errors going forward. Fashion to me is the way of expressing who you are. It’s not necessarily just the pieces you buy from a store, but it’s about how you style and carry it, to represent who you are. Our wardrobe actually needs a story behind, so share your story with your style.
MTimes: What types of fashion are you most interested in working with?
Sanen: Every aspect of fashion, in my opinion, is distinct in its way. For me, I love playing with fabrics, so a clothing line is what I’m interested in. Most fashion designers begin their careers with a passion for haute couture and/or luxury apparel. My enthusiasm for design stems from my desire to develop and promote the economy and ready-to-wear fashion. As the most popular segment in the fashion industry, I believe it has been overshadowed by other sectors and is declining as time passes.
MTimes: Who and which things are the inspiration while creating any design?
Sanen: “My Mom and her Ideas”. Actually my mother has been the greatest inspiration, as I grew up learning from her. Watching her cut fabrics, sewing, sketching and making jewelries and accessories, made a huge impact in my life. Everything I do has been inherited from her. It’s a fact that I always ask my mom’s opinion after creating any project. Her hard work and creativity is what inspires me while creating any design.
MTimes: What ethics do you think are most important in the fashion industry?
Sanen: The most important ethic for anyone involved in the fashion industry, is honesty and integrity. Fashion designs should be unique and innovative, even if they slightly alter existing designs. Copying somebody else’s style or using their design is an ethical violation, and taking credit for someone else’s work is the worst thing you can do in this industry. I would rather produce a design that is not accepted by the people than be accused of replicating somebody’s work.
MTimes: According to you, what are the skills that are necessary for becoming a successful fashion designer?
Sanen: In my opinion, the key elements a fashion designer must possess include creativity, innovation, flexibility, determination, good communication skills, knows how to sketch, a good sense of style and be able to get along with a variety of personality types. Fashion designing is also a highly competitive industry, so self-assurance and a go getter attitude are essential for success. I’m working on all of these.
MTimes: How do you stay updated with the trends in the fashion industry?
Sanen: My research skills are excellent enough so far which makes it easy for me to remain updated on new fashion. In addition, I make a conscious effort to watch fashion shows and Vogue runway; in fact I am always on my ipad during my break time scrolling through Vogue Runway.
MTimes: What are your greatest strengths, as well as tell us about your weaknesses?
Sanen: I feel that my greatest strength is my ability to handle many design projects at the same time, and working smartly rather than working hyper hard.
And talking about my weakness, I don’t think I have any weaknesses- sorry about that (Laughs). Actually I do have weaknesses. For me, I take a lot of time, keep adjusting, trying things, different layouts, examining them, which sometimes takes too much of time. In short, I have a tendency to get too caught up in the finer nuances of a project. Another thing is, I think too much worrying about the flow, even sometimes when it’s a concept design where you don’t need to make it work in a real scenario.
MTimes: How would you define your personal style? Do you think a career in fashion is possible in Nagaland?
Sanen: My personal style is always in sync with what I am doing. For instance, if I am working, I wear comfortable clothes that have an edge of design to them. Likewise, I style accordingly.
There is no denying that Nagaland is “The Land of Festivals and Fashion Paradise”. So, opting fashion as a career, I should say, is a big Yes. People are so updated with the trends and I think there is a dire need for us to promote and build up the brand ‘Nagaland’, like ‘Made in Nagaland’, or ‘Designed in Nagaland ‘. I believe there is a better future for us though things are rough today. Nagaland itself is a Land of Fashion and it’s our job to style it and promote our own state.
MTimes: A message for our readers.
Sanen: Fashion is different from other fields. It’s about living in the now. Every day when you get dressed, you’re recreating yourself, which is an amazing thing. Sometimes no matter how together you are, you hit a point in the season, or in your life, where none of your clothes feel right. Maybe they don’t fit, or your life has changed. When you go out and find clothes in new sizes or shapes, clothing can help you reinvent yourself. Your clothes are the tool that helps you get through that transition. And that is why fashion continues to be viable for me. Honestly, I never work for achievements or awards; rather I work because I enjoy the process. I like expressing myself through this form of art called fashion and whatever comes on the way as recognition, I respectfully accept. I just want to mention that whoever is reading this, just believe in you and never give up. We all have good times and bad times in life and it depends on how we handle and tackle the situation. For me, I’m just a starter in this industry and I have a lot more to learn and improve. Though I have only a handful of clients for now, I believe someday or the other, people will get to know the dedication and hard work I put in my work. Criticism is common and without criticism, one cannot grow to realize the flaws in oneself so style to survive rather than style to kill, as there is a saying “Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life”.