Jamati: Hello Layo, thanks for talking with us at Jamati. Tell us a little bit about your background. Where is home for you; Where did you grow up?
My name is Layo Gbadamosi, I’m 22, originally born in Ibadan Nigeria, where I was raised till my family moved to London at the age of 8. We spent three years there till we moved to New Jersey at the age of 11, went to the University of Maryland, College Park for my B.A. degree, and I currently reside in Maryland, but getting ready to move to New York to start law school at Fordham Law, and fashion school at Parsons the New School for Design.
Jamati: Where did the interest of designing spring from?
I always had my head in my books, but my heart in fashion since I was a little girl. I however did not quite figure out how to channel my passion till I was about 18 when I knew I would love to own a clothing line one day. Since then, my plans revolved around starting my line and developing my business, and that is exactly what I did in 2006 when I started Gloss.

Jamati: You are a graduate of the University of Maryland correct? What did you major in?
You are correct. I majored in Political Science and History (Pre-law).

Jamati: If not a career in fashion design, what would have been your second choice?
I would have ventured into interior design (another secret hobby/passion of mine).

Jamati: Your ultimate career dream is to become a fashion designer, what steps did you take in making your final decision to go with it?
In 2006, I sat down and researched the paths that my idols in the design world took to become so successful in the industry. That’s when I figured that while I had sewing skills, I needed to go to a professional school where I can not only learn the skills to get me in the high fashion industry, but also the ins and outs that will take me to the top (which by God’s grace, I will hopefully get to). Moreover, many famous designers once worked for other designers to gain experience, and develop as designers. I plan on one day working for labels I love (Coco Chanel being my absolute dream!) and learn and grow as a designer.

Jamati: Your design approach is very classic and elegant, is there any time period or person who influenced your style?
I am absolutely in LOVE with the 20’s. The vibrancy and elegance of the era grabs me, not to mention the artistic creation that came out of that era. SIMPLY INSPIRING! As for people, I am in love with the stylistic pallets of people like Elizabeth Taylor (in her youth of course), Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana (God rest her soul), Dorothy Dandridge and YES, I must admit, Victoria Beckham (whatever anyone has to say about that woman, you have to admit, home girl can dress!!!) and ultimately, the legendary Miss Coco Chanel herself (I mean the lady invented fashion in my opinion)!!!!!

Jamati: You now have your own clothing line, Gloss. How did you come up with a name for your line and why?
I have to give this one to my sister, Shayo. We were sitting together thinking of names for the line, and I remember saying I want something that will embody the line, short and simple, yet elegant and classy. I remember saying glass, glassy, and she just said quite simply “Gloss”, and we were both IN LOVE!! Everything went from there.

Jamati: What steps did you take to mentally prepare you for moving your creative talent from a hobby and a dream into launching a clothing line?
It was not easy I will tell you that. LOT’S OF PRAYER HELPED THEN, AND IS STILL HELPING! I remember everyone saying you are too young, you can wait, (but who wants to wait to live out their dream!) I just remember mentally preparing myself for the hardships that will follow in terms of the magnitude of starting a business (you can’t imagine the paperwork!). It is very intimidating, especially with the world telling you that you can’t. I also remember always telling myself to be patient, I’m not going to get where I want to go overnight, and literally must work my way from the bottom up, spend lots of money trying to get there, but as long as I persevere, hopefully God will one day get me where I want to go.

Jamati: You use African fabric and prints for your designs which expresses your heritage. I like that. At this point, designing in the US, who is your target market?
Right now, since I will be starting school this fall, I have in a way slowed Gloss down considerably, and will re-tool, re-vamp, and learn everything I can in fashion school to get the line out to where I would like to market it; which is African high society, and will look into using more diverse fabrics in order to market also to socialites, and hopefully get in with the red-carpet crowd (pray with me!! Lol) However, since starting in 2006 I have previously marketed to young African professionals in the D.C./MD/VA area. Now I am looking to expand!

Jamati: Do you intend to take your design into mainstream America?
Yes, I hope to do so one day. While retaining the African heritage (I will ALWAYS hold down my culture), I will definitely look into broadening the line, and market globally.

Jamati: To be a designer, one must constantly put on their creative cap. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Honestly, I draw them from ALL OVER!! Buildings, events, time periods, people, shapes. I usually hone in on one theme and sap it for everything it’s got, and move on to the next thing.

Jamati: You currently have two main lines in your collection correct? The Premiere Collection and the Dare Collection. Tell us briefly about the inspiration behind each one.
Well, rather, I have 2 main collections in one line. The premiere collection was my first ever collection, and it was my way of introducing Gloss to the world, and my vision for the line. The focus and inspiration above anything else for that collection was West Africa. I used lace fabric and adire material, popular in the region, and shaped them into simple classic silhouettes, yet edgy, sophisticated and youthful (at least that was the plan…lol).
I have grown leaps and bounds since then, and my second line hopefully illustrates that growth. If this makes sense, the “runway” was my inspiration for my second collection, Dare. I wanted to hone in on the high fashion industry, and hopefully the Dare collection created the pathway for me to get there. I definitely was going for edgy, sexy, classy and unique. And hopefully tapping more into my creative side (did you get that?!?!? Hopefully you did! Lol).

Jamati: In this vast market, there are designers from all walks of life. We applaud designers such as yourself, for continuing to push African fashion forward into the industry. As a designer who is Nigerian, how do you think this can successfully be done?
I can definitely tell you it is easy to blend into a world where on the covers of Elle magazine all you see are the Oscar De La Rentas and Ralph Laurens of this world (who are both GREAT designers I look up to). One must just simply hold on to your culture, be proud of it, and love it, which makes it easier for you to just want to shout on the op of your lungs “I LOVE AFRICA” (only I’m shouting it through my designs!). It is also great to have people like Deola Sagoe to look up to (my absolute favorite designer), who is probably the most famous Nigerian designer, and has shown in all kinds of notable fashion weeks all over the world, along side notable names such as Calvin Klein etc…It can definitely be done!

Jamati: What are some of the short term goal for Gloss?
Short term goal is to get through fashion school in one piece and soak up every ounce of knowledge I can in the school, and in New York City, to propel Gloss to the top.

Jamati: What are you currently working on?
Right now, nothing, lol. I just finished my third collection (which should be up on the site by the end of the summer), and it will be my last collection before I go to school unfortunately.

Jamati: Do you have any upcoming events where you will be displaying your fabulous creations?
Unfortunately, I just showed my latest collection at the University of Maryland, College Park this past month, and it will be the last for a while.

Jamati: Is there a particular cause that is close to your heart?
Empowering African women and children! There is a popular phrase that goes “women are the most un-tapped resource in this world” and HOW TRUE! There are millions of women and children all over the world that do not have the basic recourses at their disposal for daily survival. If you give them the tools to empower themselves, gain confidence in themselves, then you are not just helping one women, but her entire community, and I plan to do just that by the grace of God!

Jamati: Please feel free to add anything else you wish our readers to know about you or Gloss.
Thank you so much for your interest! It is always so flattering to hear that someone wants to learn more about Gloss. Please keep up to date about Gloss on the website, and do not be alarmed by the silence of the line in the near future, I’m just in school planning and scheming to make the line bigger, better and totally bad-ass, and more accessible on a mass level. Thanks again!!
Well, Layo, thank you so much for taking the time to interview with us. Your line is incredible! What I like about it the most is that it is so classy and wearable! We would like to link up to your website to keep our readers posted on new developments at Gloss Attitude. Please give us that website again.
www.glossattitude.com
Thanks again and wish you all the luck with Gloss Attitude.