Designer Moe Makha shows off some her designs. The young designer won the ‘Best Stylist of the Year 2008’ award at the Miss People fashion contest.

“THIS is where I work,” Moe Makha points to an area of the room covered in a mess of clothes, drawing papers and sewing tools. The room is small, just the living-room of a flat on the 5th floor of an apartment building. “Sometimes, my cousin and her friends even use it as a classroom for their tuition,” she laughs.

Still, with large glass windows and a door that opens out onto a balcony, the room enjoys good light and ventilation, making the room bright and airy.

“I draw the designs here. I cut the materials and I make the dresses here’” she says. “I won the best stylish award by making the designs from this tiny room,” she adds with a hint of pride. The 26 year old was recently awarded ‘Best Stylist of the Year 2008’ award at the Miss People 2008 Fashion and Model Contest held in October.

With the aim of being an internationally recognised designer, Moe Makha took her first step by moving to Yangon in 2005 from her native town of Taungthar in Mandalay division.

“It was the time I decided on a career as a fashion designer. Before then, I was only interested in sewing. I learnt traditional dress making under the guidance of Aunty Cho in my hometown. I watched fashion channels on satellite TV and my interest veered towards creating different styles. When I realised what I wanted to be in the future, I left the place I loved, taking a big risk,” Moe Makha says, perhaps remembering her easy life in Taungthar.

When she arrived in Yangon, she joined the M&S School of Dress Making in Summit Park View Hotel and studied fashion and design. In 2007, she learnt Htinemathein (Traditional bridal dress) from Ko Ko Fashion Taylor.

“I’m really keen on fashion but I can’t afford to study design courses abroad. Even in my class, I couldn’t use the Japanese made tools and expensive materials like my classmates. But I’ve got into the habit of doing the best with what I have,” she says.

Life wasn’t easy when no one believed and supported her aspirations. Even her parents and relative didn’t support her, many of whom thought that a good marriage is the best and final destiny for a woman.

“Since I was young I’ve always felt like I’m a problem child. I don’t get love from my dad and he never agrees with me whatever I do. I also had many obstacles so wanted to give up many times. I even doubted my fortune and said to myself ‘Oh! I won’t do it anymore’,” she says, raising her thin eyebrows.

“Unfortunately, my parents separated four months before I competed. I had lots of depressed moments, family problems and criticism from others. But the more I was pressured, the more I try to convert all stress and strains into strength. I also envied the success of previous winner San Oo and I want to be recognised by the fashion industry like he is.”

Against the odds, she had prepared everything for the People annual fashion contest since the beginning of 2008. She first chose the model before creating a suitable design.

“When I think of a design, I always try and take account of the appearance of the model, make-up style and probable stage lighting. And I know very well which post is the best suit with the design because I was also a model in the past,” she says.

“The model I chose is not skinny and has a curvy body, she looks a bit Indian. So I decided to make an Egyptian inspired design with golden colours because the dress styles of Egyptian women are very womanly.

“I love to appeal to the beauty of women with my designs. My designs might look simple but they can express the attractive features of the people who wear them. So, I was very confident about my designs except my show luck because every design looked fantastic at the event,” she adds.

For the best stylist prize, she was awarded K100,000 and her model also took third prize.

“It’s funny that, my design cost about K250,000. After I was awarded [the prize], many magazines contacted me to print my designs. I have to spend a lot of money and I even take some from my mum. My mum often says ‘Big name Moe Makha, if I buy with your money, there will be no water at home to drink.’ She is not wrong. Actually, I should look after my mum but I can’t yet and I’m still dependent on her. How poor I am?” she says laughing.

Currently, Moe Makha is making some dresses for magazine covers and hoping for more opportunities to show her design ability and fashion sense.

“Here, people haven’t totally recognised the role of fashion designers. Tailors and designers are not the same. The designers must have ideas, creativity and aspiration. I want to be a chief designer for a famous brand and I also aim to release designs under my own brand.”