International Women's Month with Asya Ter-Hovakimyan from OMNISS
Founded by designers Asya Ter-Hovakimyan and Francisco Zhou in 2016, OMNISS is an aesthetic orientated brand, driven by character-focused storytelling.
Asya takes on all aspects of the design process from sketching and developing the range to producing the patterns, toiling the collection all the way up to lookbook shoots and showroom events.
How did you get to where you are today?
I made my first skirt at the age of 6 from my grandfather's old shirt. Appreciation for the art of making and crafts is what brought my interest in fashion and I moved to London from Armenia in 2013, following my dream of studying in the best fashion school in the world.
It has been a life-changing decision as here I learnt a lot not only about fashion design and the fashion industry (among the few most grateful for the experience at amazing fellow-Trampery resident SABINNA) but the world, life and myself. While studying I met my business partner, Francisco, and we kick-started OMNISS with the aim to design remarkable products for ‘rockstars’.
I like to ask myself how did I get to where I am today ever once in a while and I think it is mainly many ‘yes’s to opportunities that would come my way and support of those who believed in my dreams.
What does women's empowerment mean to you?
Women’s empowerment for me first of all is about equal opportunities.
Opportunities to learn, to try, to grow, to fail, to express opinion etc. lead to freedom of choices - the route to empowerment. Women are often left with no choice or very little choice especially when it comes to defining their roles in the society and creating, allowing, supporting and encouraging this freedom to choose to be whoever we wish to be without any biases and stereotypes is the core of women’s empowerment for me.
What advice would you give to young women today?
Do not let anyone define you. You are better than you think, stronger than you think, smarter than you think and more capable than you can imagine.
Which women inspire you?
Women who are not afraid to be themselves no matter what society expects.
Asya takes on all aspects of the design process from sketching and developing the range to producing the patterns, toiling the collection all the way up to lookbook shoots and showroom events.
How did you get to where you are today?
I made my first skirt at the age of 6 from my grandfather's old shirt. Appreciation for the art of making and crafts is what brought my interest in fashion and I moved to London from Armenia in 2013, following my dream of studying in the best fashion school in the world.
It has been a life-changing decision as here I learnt a lot not only about fashion design and the fashion industry (among the few most grateful for the experience at amazing fellow-Trampery resident SABINNA) but the world, life and myself. While studying I met my business partner, Francisco, and we kick-started OMNISS with the aim to design remarkable products for ‘rockstars’.
I like to ask myself how did I get to where I am today ever once in a while and I think it is mainly many ‘yes’s to opportunities that would come my way and support of those who believed in my dreams.
What does women's empowerment mean to you?
Women’s empowerment for me first of all is about equal opportunities.
Opportunities to learn, to try, to grow, to fail, to express opinion etc. lead to freedom of choices - the route to empowerment. Women are often left with no choice or very little choice especially when it comes to defining their roles in the society and creating, allowing, supporting and encouraging this freedom to choose to be whoever we wish to be without any biases and stereotypes is the core of women’s empowerment for me.
What advice would you give to young women today?
Do not let anyone define you. You are better than you think, stronger than you think, smarter than you think and more capable than you can imagine.
Which women inspire you?
Women who are not afraid to be themselves no matter what society expects.
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