Style Spot catches up with successful fashion designer Among Longkumer who in her credit has designed for five times World Boxing Champion Mary Kom and worked with renowned Kolkata based designers Neha Puddar and Radhika Singh after completing her course from NIFT Kolkata in 2011. With just one wish to partake for Victoria Secret Angel’s show, She has launched her label in 2012 under her own signature name ‘Among Longkumer’, participated in Kolkata Couture Fashion Week 2011,Naga’s Nite Kolkata 2012,Urban Naga Fashion show 2012,Exhibition in Delhi with the theme ‘Contemporary Lives’ and hues of Bhutan and Nagaland through art, fashion and photography in 2013, Showtime Features at Blue Mountain Resort in Siliguri 2013 and has designed for the contestants of Miss Nagaland 2013,couture fashion night Nagaland at quaff in 2014. Her design was also announced as the best ethnic wear in Miss Mokokchung 2013.
Eastern Mirror: Who did you start your career with? How did that come about?
Among Longkumer: It was in 2011 right after completing my course I started working with Neha Puddar and Radhika Singh in Kolkata with whom I’ve learnt a lot of new techniques in designing in fact which I’ve never experienced during my entire time in designing classes.
EM: What was the single most important lesson you learned from your client/customers?
AL: The encouragement they give, sharing their ideas and designs coz every clients’ have different ideas and opinions of their own and that how I get better and better each day.
EM: How far would you like to go with your designs?
AL: I just wish that someday I get a chance to design for Victoria Secret Angel’s show
EM: What is the best moment of the day for you?
AL: Leaving all my works (stitching) and keep myself relax for the whole day.
EM: Where do you get ideas for your design?
AL: Usually I get inspired by the things around me which I find it interesting and unique.
EM: Is there any type of fashion you avoid following?
AL: I think till today I’ve been following every new trends that comes my way so there’s no chance for me to avoid anything.
EM: Do you work only on particular designs or work according to seasons?
AL: Yes I work according to seasons but it also depends on the clients’ orders, for example winter is considered as wedding season especially in Nagaland starting from the month of October till March ordering new outfits and i also design for men’s/women’s wear and kids wear too.
EM: What do you have in your closets?
AL: I have more of tees and shirts and some few short dresses in my closet
EM: What fascinates you and how much influence does it have on your work?
I’ve always been fascinated by our rich Naga traditional attire and the beautiful Indian ethnic wear, so you’ll mostly find my designs a little touch of Indian drape sari and a blend of contemporary Naga textiles(fabric).
Yes, I sketch quite often and you’ll find me sketching early morning as it is the best time for sketching because that’s when my mind is still fresh and gets new ideas with my own imagination.
When it comes to designs I focus more on the body of my models that can be explored through my fitted gowns.
