EVEN with her regular busy schedule, local designer Olympia Small-Sonaram is still actively involved in various aspects of our Golden Jubilee. As she says, her participation in these events helps to connect her to her history.The 38-year-old designer is part of the Jubilee Festival’s fashion show, which began yesterday and continues tomorrow, during which time she will be showcasing her new line, “Colour Me Sexy”.
The collection features an array of colourful skirts and other pieces with a predominantly floral theme. Apart from that, Olympia’s signature has also been placed on the Independence décor for some of the buildings around Georgetown, in addition to her annual task of designing costumes for the Float Parade.

“The work that I am doing on the floats for the companies for the Jubilee helps me to learn about my history, and makes me feel connected to my past and my ancestors,” Olympia told The Buzz, adding that the details entailed on the designs tell a story that showcase a change in lifestyle from then to now that she can certainly appreciate.
Moreover, she said that there are some aspects of history that she has learned about that she thinks should even be reintroduced.
ABOUT OLYMPIA

Olympia’s passion for designing began as a young girl from watching her mother. “As a child, I would sketch designs; and that progressed when I became a teenager.
“Then I learned to sew from my mother, and I would sew my own stuff,” she said.
This talent was naturally given to her, as she admits that she never received any professional training while learning to design.
In fact, she revealed that what she didn’t learn from her mother, she taught herself by dismantling pieces of clothing and putting them back together. “Then I started to model, and would sew my own swimsuits. And people started to see my talent, and they became interested in me sewing things for them too.”

Over time, Olympia would develop her own flare and signature, and even became known for her penchant for the more provocative and daring designs on the local scene.
It no doubt brought her some negativity, as the more conservative crowd deemed her fashions “inappropriate”.
Yet Olympia stated that for every person who sees her work as overly provocative, there is an equal number who find it immensely desirable. “I think that the female body is beautiful, and we need to be proud of our own skin and not be afraid to look good,” she said.
Of course, not all her designs fall into this category, since much of her portfolio includes pageant and wedding gowns.
Olympia said that she tries to cater to all groups of women, from daring to conservative, so as to keep her diverse clientele pleased.
18-ODD YEARS
Her 18-odd years of designing has undoubtedly led her to witness numerous transformations in the local fashion industry, which she admittedly is quite proud to have been a part of. She

remembers a time when there were just a handful of known designers, including her. Today, she is proud to see that there are numerous up-and-coming local designers being recognised for their work.
“There are so many of them who now have a passion for the art, and are now trying to pursue it as a career. And that is a good thing,” Olympia said, adding:
“So, before, where people would prefer to go to stores and buy their clothes, a lot of them now prefer to go to designers.” Olympia credits “social media” for the increase in exposure, and adds that these same designers also have the Internet to thank for ideas and inspiration.
“When I started,” she said, “I didn’t have Facebook; I had to depend on going to shows and spreading the word.
“The Internet allows them to do more research, so they can get more ideas and come up with modern designs.”
Yet she warns that this could be a blessing and a curse, as this could hinder their creativity, and take away from their ability to come up with unique designs.
“Just putting stuff together,” she said, “doesn’t make you a designer. And a lot of times, that is what happens.
“That is why when they go overseas, they see that their stuff is not up to scratch with where they are supposed to be.”
In her opinion, rather than sourcing designs from the Internet, designers should instead focus on techniques that bring out true creativity.
“Things like batik and tie-dye can be modernised, and can still be used to create beautiful swimsuits and gowns,” she said.
“I believe that things like that would show their real talent if they focus on it.”
UP TO STANDARD
Yet, the question remains whether local designers have enough resources to get them up to that standard, or whether the Internet truly is the best source of teaching in Guyana.
Admitting that there is a lack of teaching resources locally, Olympia is calling on the government to focus on putting more institutions in place that may help young designers to hone their craft; teaching them essential design techniques; encouraging them to get original ideas, and helping them to bring those ideas to life.

“Designing comes from within, but as with all things, it needs to be polished,” she says. “I’ve seen how governments support their designers in other countries. If we get that kind of support, we can do so much better. We have a lot of talent; I have seen how many of them can draw. But a lot of them don’t have the financial resources to go to schools overseas to learn more. We need schools right here,” Olympia told The Buzz.
Meantime, she can only advise that those designers stay motivated, as perseverance is the key to much of the success she has seen over the years.
“You have to start somewhere; but you will make mistakes, and some people out there are very harsh. But you can never give up; you have to shut your ear to negativity. I have received a lot of that, but I learned from all of it.”
Being able to take negativity, Olympia said, is also a key to success, as at the same time, not every negative comment is meant to harm you. “All in all, designing is a passion; you have to never give up. I didn’t just jump to where I am; it took lots of hard work. You must love what you do and do it to your best.”
CONTENT WITH HER LOT
Overall, the hardworking mom, wife and entrepreneur seems content with her achievements thus far, especially her family life. She praised her husband for the support he has given her throughout their marriage, and states that she ensures that despite her busy schedule, she always makes time for her family.
She believes that it is a woman’s ability to balance all of these roles that makes her truly strong. Not that career women who don’t have their own families are any less stronger, but she commends those women who balance both a career and a family and are still able to hold their own in society. “As women, we have to always stay positive, never dropping our standards, or feeling that it is too much.
“We have to always hold our head up, and never let anything or anyone make you feel less than what you really are.”

Thinking of strong women, Olympia then touches on her mother, who she credits with being her biggest inspiration.
“She has always been there, even as a child. No matter what I wanted to do, how many pageants I wanted to enter, or which show I wanted to be part of, she was always there. She is one of the reasons I am so good at what I do today.”