Jul 03 2014.
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Avi Mendoza
Full name Avi Medonza
Nickname Since my real name is short enough, I don’t have any nicknames
Experience In life, plenty
Life’s motto "It's never too late to become what you might have become"
Avi Mendoza is fashion forward, creative and an out-of-the-box thinker. She’s the head of a design at one of Sri Lanka’s leading fashion stores. Her childhood desire for drawing has blossomed into a successful profession today.
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I caught up with her to find out more.
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Your name sounds foreign…
Except for my surname I have only one name and that’s Avi. My name’s based on a migrating bird called ‘Avichchiya’ in Sinhala and it was the choice of my father.
As for my surname, Dr. Oliver Robert Medonza is my grandfather and he was a Senior Emeritus Consultant Physician at the General Hospital.
When did you decide you wanted to be a designer?
The talent for drawing has been with me from childhood. From my younger days, I used to draw a lot and I have won many awards as well. I was very interested in sketching human figures with clothes when I was small and I believe that this is what drove me into this field. My father too advised me to follow fashion design for my higher studies.
Now you are the Head of Design for a reputed fashion retail chain. Your path to success?
I did my higher studies at Academy of Design and at my graduation ceremony, upon seeing my 'final collection', I was offered the post of a Designer at MONDY and this was six years ago.
I never considered designing as a career. It was just my passion. I’m a very confident person and I keep abreast of the latest trends in the fashion scene. I love to see people looking beautiful and feeling special while wearing my designs. My determination, dedication and creativity are the secrets of my success.
Future plans? Your own label?
At the moment, I’m not thinking of starting my own label. Right now what I want is to gain more experience in the industry. There’s a lot to learn.
What do you do for fun?
I'm a nature lover and I am very fond of all kinds of animals, so I go camping. I find camping relaxing.
The beach is my most favourite place. The sea breeze makes me feel alive.
I’m also into adventurous experiences.
Whenever I get the time, I also catch up with my loved ones and I like to get to know new people.
I travel a lot and I like to visit all the places and countries I have not yet been to.
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Designers are open-minded and think differently. Has this affected you in a negative way?
Well, we live in an Asian country and certain times I have come across some bad experiences both profess
ionally and personally. Some people limit their thinking and I think that’s a very negative thing in life. You shouldn’t limit yourself. But these experiences have only made me stronger.
There are more advantages than disadvantages to being open-minded. When you’re open-minded it’s very easy to move around with people and you have a better understanding of everything. So you’re much more comfortable to deal with any situation.
Yes, designers are always different thinkers. With their thinking capacity they do marvels creations. Not only that, even when you are faced with a problem you will see so many different sides to it that others don’t see. This will help you to get the problem solved in a better way.
Interview & pics by Jayantha Fernando
Location – The Barnesbury
0 Comments
Pramod Sanjeewa says:
Jul 03, 2014 at 12:00 amCngratulations! An amazing article. All the very best. Keep up your good work. Cheers.
Ayesha Jayawardena says:
Jul 04, 2014 at 12:00 amAll the Very best to your future.
Nirmani Jayarathna says:
Jul 04, 2014 at 12:00 amAll the best Avi! Simple and very nicely done!
Anjana De Silva says:
Jul 04, 2014 at 12:00 amIt's really great to see this kind of talented person for fashion industry. All the best for your career..
Rakitha Madushan says:
Jul 05, 2014 at 12:00 amVery good article. Nicely and simply done. Awesome set of photos as well. Thumbs up! :)
Nirmani Jayarathna says:
Jul 06, 2014 at 12:00 amGood luck my sis!!!!!!! The outstanding article. Superb!!!! The work you do each day builds your future. Keep up the good work Loving wishes from mom too :*
Nirmani Jayarathna says:
Jul 06, 2014 at 12:00 amGood Luck my sis! Outstanding article. Superb. The work you do each day builds your future. Keep up the good work! Loving wishes from mom too :*
Nirmani Jayarathna says:
Jul 06, 2014 at 12:00 amGood Luck my sis! Outstanding article. Superb! The work you do each day builds your future. Keep up the good work. Loving wishes from Mom too :)