Derin Fabikun is the brain behind Fablane by Derin, a thriving fashion design house. Still in her twenties, she spoke about her inspiration and her excitement on her passion for beautifying women. YEMISI ADENIRAN reports.
What's your attraction to fashion designing?
I love beautiful women and I admire women who take their time to dress themselves up. Above all, I love to be part of a woman's beauty. I mean, I love to contribute to the making of a beautiful woman. That is why I will always come up with distinct pieces that are not just like every other stuff you see around.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from the beauty of women, the simplicity and complications of being a woman. The joy from the knowledge of adding to this beauty keeps me drawing, going and designing. It is easier for men to dress up for an outing whereas it is not for women.
We consider a lot of things and areas to touch up. All of these make a woman up. There is the clothing to consider, the hair, the face, the accessories and even other things that are not external. That makes the appearance of a woman very complicated.
How do you cater for this at Fablane?
Fablane with different fabrics and ornaments from African prints (ankara) to chiffon, silk, animal prints, paisley, denim etc to create an outstanding woman with taste. We dress our clients up to fit in for their events and at affordable prices. It is one label meant for women who understand the importance of looking fabulous. We cater for successful young and young-at-heart women who believe in strongly expressing their unique individuality through dressing.
How do you think young designers like you need to make better statements?
We need more encouragement from the already established designers and from the public generally. On our own, we need to work harder like those before us if not more to prove our worth but largely, we need to be encouraged by all and sundry, even the government should be involved too. Patrons should not just be stuck with the old ones, they should give us rooms to prove ourselves. We need more room to prove ourselves.
What advice do you have for upcoming designers like you?
They should be focused and try to learn from their senior colleagues. They should also be hardworking and get more creative. Copying other people's work is never the best; it can never stand one out.
Source: I fifi nd pleasure in beautifying women – Derin Fabikun (http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/i-fifi-nd-pleasure-in-beautifying-women-derin-fabikun/)