THIS week Timeout speaks with Tatee, a clothes designer popular for his traditional designs. Tatee has worked in design for a decade now and also trains aspiring young designers. Recently he has released designer clothes patterns so that people can create dresses at home.

When did you start to producing designer patterns and where did the idea come from?

I’ve been producing them for one year now. I’ve also been providing distance education for those who could not come and learn in Yangon. I would like to help students more so I starting to create the designer patterns. Many people can use them for their enjoyment.

How many kinds of designer pattern have you created?

About 5 designs have been turned into designer patterns.

How useful is this product to customers?

It has different kinds of utility for the customers. Some high school students buy the designer patterns and create them by themselves while they are on summer holiday. That provides for an enjoyable holiday. When the pattern arrives all the customers have to do it combine it together.

What is your opinion about young learners?

Most of the young people want to do many things. They would like to be computer scientists, singers, fashion designers and so on. They would like to be popular.

But fashion is related to everybody’s life. Everyone needs fashion. So I think most young people are interested in fashion. I would say to them that success cannot be achieved easily; we have to spend a lot of time, a lot of money energy to become expert in something.

Some of your students have become very successful. How does this make you feel?

I’m very happy about it. When I see that they went abroad and are successful in design I feel like I’ve done something very good.

When did you open the design school?

It’s been open since 2004.

You haven’t held a show for some time. Do you plan on holding one soon?

I wanted to have a show last year but because of Nargis I cancelled it. I’m going to make a show this year in October some time.

I’ve also had an invitation from the Asian community to hold a fashion design show in Thailand in August this year. I’ll be going there as the Myanmar representative.

How much does a designer pattern cost?

Around K2000

What kind of designs do you think will be popular in 2009?

I can’t guess. There are so many brand new designs coming up.

Are there any other projects you’re working on?

Yes, I have in mind to make some books that will provide help for beginners. I also intend it do it as a syllabus for my school.

People are more fashion conscious these days. Do you think designers have more opportunities?

I believe designers have more opportunities than before because these days there are many popular local brands.