Credit: Wyatt Gallery
She did US proud but now She is Anya, the Designer.
PILAR is a clothing line designed by Anya Ayoung-Chee for women with eclectic style and a desire to be individual.
1.
Brian: So Anya, you are known as Trinidad and Tobago 2008 Miss Universe contestant and you had to define yourself back then. Now you are a “Designer Status”, tell me something about yourself as a designer?
Anya: I am so happy for this question because even though I have become known for being Miss TnT Universe (a title I hold with immense pride!) I am a designer and have been from before entering the pageant world. I attended Parsons School of Design in New York and Central St Martin’s in London, attaining a BFA in Communication Design in 2004 and have been practicing graphic design ever since. However, I have had a passion for clothes and fashion design since I was a girl and my recent experience of designing a clothing line is the realization of a lifelong dream. I am a designer through and through and feel blessed to have found my true calling!
2.
Brian: Two strong forces inspired you, your brother Pilar Charles Ayoung-Chee and the Bobo Shanti community. But what was the defining spark from Bobo Shanti community that truly guided your designs and brought about the realization that yes, this is what Pilar will be?
Anya: I began the process of designing my first collection by checking out the fabrics available to me in Trinidad and came across the African prints seen throughout the line. I then drew on the Bobo Shanti as a point of reference for the silhouette and combination of solids and patterns, as well as for the palette of the line because I have for a LONG time admired the way the Bobo Shanti dress and "style" themselves. Beyond the aesthetic of the Bobo Shanti, I am drawn to their seemingly subconscious chic, meaning the way they dress does not appear to be over analysed or contrived. I hope to encourage people to dress with that apparent ease and individuality because I think that is how true style is expressed.
3.
Brian: How many looks make up the Pilar line?
Anya: There were a total of nineteen looks shown at FWTT for PIlar's debut collection. And I will be adding to the Bobo Shanti collection for the Christmas and Carnival seasons 2009/2010.
4.
Brian: Almost any confident woman will look beautiful as a contemporary Bobo Shanti Chic but you said, your line will not appeal to everyone but some risk taking woman will find it appealing. Describe for me that risk taking woman?
Anya: The risk taking woman I refer to is the one who is confident enough to dress according to her preference and with a large dose of imagination. I love to see someone go beyond trends and find new ways of expressing themselves through their clothes. My line is meant to be mixed and matched with other brands or clothes from one's closet. I am excited to see how other people interpret Pilar and come up with new ways to wear it!
5.
Brian: You had the honor to have the great Meiling as a mentor. Describe for me in detail what was it like to be a Meiling student?
Anya: This question makes me smile! You are absolutely right that the experience of working with Meiling has been a true honor. I also have the honor of considering her a friend and a mentor in life, not only in fashion. She is an incredible woman with a generous heart, and it is from her character I have drawn the most inspiration. In terms of her guidance with my line, she walked me through the logistical steps from start to finish including everything from quantities of fabrics to buy to pricing the garments to marketing Pilar. She has provided me with a wealth of knowledge and a shoulder to lean on when the task at times seemed overwhelming! I am extremely grateful for her continued guidance and support.
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...The PILAR LOOKBOOK...
The line offers strong sexy pieces that can be mixed and matched into your wardrobe and dressed up or down for any occasion.
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*Photo Credit: Wyatt Gallery for Fuse The Agency*
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6.
Brian: What was the most important lesson you learned from Meiling?
Anya: She taught me, perhaps without realizing she did, that nothing is impossible, and that all it takes to achieve a dream is standing on your own two feet and getting the work done!
7.
Brian: As a first time designer, how was that moment for you, as the first piece from your collection hit the catwalk?
Anya: Hmm... Euphoric... Unbelievable... Nerve-wracking! But most of all that moment is one I shared with my brother, Pilar, who I know was with me in spirit – a moment I cannot accurately describe in words, and will remain with me forever.
8.
Brian: As the last piece from your collection hit the catwalk and the model is making her way back. What was going through your mind, describe that feeling you had as you entered onto the catwalk to make that walk of thanks?
Anya: All I could think of at that moment was my family – my mom, dad and brothers... I was wondering what they thought of the collection, and if they were pleased. Then I was concentrating on not tripping on stage! *smile* But I must say I felt proud and relieved that I pulled off the production of the line and achieved a lifelong dream!
9.
Brian: You were at Caribbean Fashion Week 2009 in Jamaica representing your line. How was Pilar received at CFW 09.
Anya: Although I did not show the collection at CFW 09, I wore Pilar every night and the pieces were very well received! I was very pleased with the response and look forward to showing at CFW 2010.
10.
Brian: From Fashion Week Trinidad & Tobago to now, how has it been for you since the launch of Pilar and how has Pilar been doing?
Anya: Pilar has been a great success since FWTT. I continue to receive positive feedback and requests for the line on a daily basis. I feel honoured and blessed to have had such an effusive response, particularly from women my age, and from Caribbean women in particular! I am proud to be able to design for the Caribbean woman and help develop a visual identity for my generation that for a long time has been difficult to define. Fashion for me is one of the most effective ways to establish an identity and I hope that our Caribbean aesthetic continues to evolve and become as desirable and distinct as any other international fashion identity.
A VERY SPECIAL TO THANKS TO ANYA AYOUNG-CHEE FOR GIVING L.O.B THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVIEW HER AND PRESENTING HER INSPIRED PILAR COLLECTION TO THE CARIBBEAN AND THE WORLD.
For More Info:
- Visit: PILAR {Do check out the PILAR page for many more great articles on Anya and Pilar}
- Visit: FUSE THE AGENCY
- Email: Anya@fusetheagency.com
That's The Life...B
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