By Robecca Leyden
In celebration of Fashion Inc.'s 2022 Fashion Show & Met Gala, Sans Pareil are rolling out some exclusive interviews with the five featured designers (which we are SO excited to be doing).
We spoke to the lovely Daya, who has a label called Ovya, whose designs are heavily inspired by nature.
Firstly, tell us a little about your label and what you do.
My label Ovya, is all about creating from within, taking life's finer aspects and beauty of nature. I love to play with colours that I see in the natural surroundings. Connect themes to nature too.
You say that you are influenced a lot by nature. Any thing or places in particular?
I love the wild, the icy humongous mountains to the green paddy fields to the depths of the sea. Yes, it's the truth that I found all to coexist in NZ. My collections celebrate the Earth in a few ways and bring forth nature of NZ.
How long have you been in the industry? What do you think of the NZ fashion industry specifically? I know that you're currently in India and unable to attend personally.
I am back in New Zealand, though delayed by 3 weeks due to personal work there and family requirements. I have tried my best to put in efforts day and night to make it happen within 2 weeks time. I really hope I have made up for the time now.
Quite excited to be on the big platform in NZ for the first time.
I have been in the industry since 1992 or say 1994 since I studied and trained to design and do product development in the industry. But the NZ fashion arena is new to me and I bring my experiences from many places in Asia , USA and Europe.
When will you be returning to New Zealand? and what do you have planned when you do?
I'm back and have jumped into action, I am so thankful to the team here and there who have been coordinating with me. Thankfully I was working on new collections already and connected them to the Met Gala.
What made you decide to come on board with the Gala?
I met Allan Meyers at my pop up studio in Ponsonby Central in May, before my trip to India and I was quite inspired by him.
I was doing an event in NZ Fashion Week and as it had not taken off as well, I was looking for opportunities to be on the platform like before, in NZ too. I was part of WOW but withdrew due to my fracture early last year, so I decided I need to be on action in 2022 and do my best.
Who are some of your fashion inspirations? What designers do you love?
I have many and I think each and every one of them brings something to inspire, excite and enjoy. I admire designers for each of their concepts. Love the variety in the world.
Who would you say is your most common customer?
A woman or man who looks to feel simply happy and would cherish the product and feels his soul shine through them. I help them search for that, creating and making that a reality for them. I attract clients with deep feelings and patience. My collections are more subtle and have textures and colours.
Lastly, do you have any advice for emerging designers in your field?
It's not the glamour, the presentations that one sees and the beauty one sees on the finished garment that wins but the perseverance again and again shown in being consistent, letting imagination fly and connect it to reality and chasing the happiness of customers that count.
You can check out Daya's work on the Ovya Facebook page
