We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bessie Besana. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bessie below.
Hi Bessie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
By degree, I am a Civil Engineer and that is a profession that I practiced for eight years in a professional setting before shifting to fashion. When I left my corporate career, I had a thriving position in the industry and a lot of people would want to be in my shoes. But fashion is a calling and I started calculating the risk involved so I can shift into this industry.
I packed by bags, went back to the Philippines (where I am from) and enrolled myself in a fashion school. I told myself that I will be doing this at least for two years and see where my destiny will bring me. I am lucky enough to bring my career forward and in one year, I was able to build my brand and start selling couture pieces to clients.
Bessie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I specialize in creating custom pieces for clients and his industry gives me so much joy and happiness. I am however starting to venture to a more wide market by creating bridal dresses that clients can try on within stores so they can own a Bessie Besana piece.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
A lot of people nowadays see fashion from the perspective of social media. They see the glits and the glamour that comes with a photoshoot or a Tiktok. But what people do not see is the hardship to get to that point – sleepless nights of constantly editing your designs, constantly checking what could /would work and sometimes doubting your capability. The successful people in this industry are the one who understand that they need to put in the work.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
The pandemic gave us a better perspective on how things should go about and same with fashion. People understand better that we should invest on better garments which lessen the effect with the environment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bessiebesana.com
- Instagram: @bessiebesana
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bessiebesanaatelier
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bessie-besana-27312815/
- Twitter: @bessiebesana
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCucTDiPQ5IQghNHNFhOpXEg
Image Credits
Jai Murcillo, Nelwin Uy, Jojo Photography, Mark Neto Diaz