November’s Artist of the Month is Lingerie/Loungewear Designer Layla L’Obatti. Layla is the founder/designer of the Between the Sheets lingerie/loungwear line. Layla and I attended the Fashion Institute of Technology together. I’ve witnessed her determination and hardwork since 1st semester’s draping class! I’m very proud of her accomplishments and I’m looking forward to seeing her evolve as a designer! 🙂 Congrats Layla!

Who? Where?
My Name is Layla L’obatti and I design and make two collections of lingerie/loungewear in NYC.

Why are you Artist of the month?
I took a big leap of faith to launch my lines after leaving my corporate design job, and for almost 2 years I’ve been working on building my business. In that time I’ve found a way to make my passion my life’s work and to “make it work” and that is something I think anyone with a creative dream can relate to.

What inspires you?
I try to stay out of what is trendy, and instead take inspiration from the things around me in life, sometimes great design is not about coming up with something totally new but improving on what’s right in front of you. For me it was looking at the loungewear that I had in my wardrobe and the options I had and deciding I wanted to make something in the most beautiful fabrics that were not only luxurious and rich but durable and eco-friendly. Then I looked at the pieces that I had and tried to make them fit better, flatter the figure more, and even if that was something small like leaving elastic out of waistband, or making the leg on a legging a little longer so a girl of many heights could have an ankle length legging I made that happen. These are the basics and the foundation, but I enjoy reading books on fashion and visiting museums. I am a member of MOMA and love all the exhibits from painting and sculpture to home products the things you see everyday can inspire you with color, print, form, and function. I never know where I’m going to get inspired next but I try to visit and see as many inspiring things as possible. I also love vintage shows, I like to see how things were made when “labor” didn’t factor into designing fashion. Vintage clothes were like works of art, especially the lingerie, with little embroideries, hand stitched laces, intricate patterns- I like to collect books on vintage lingerie and the unique pieces I find when I can.

Is there anything else that you would like to create/accomplish that you haven’t already?
Well I get to do so much in marketing my brand like making videos, creating graphics for our brand and our site, but I think if I had the freedom and the time I’d like to make a movie or write a book. I have so many stories in my head, and I would love to translate those into something as timeless and thought provoking as a novel or screenplay.

Do have any advice?
My advice for artists who want to follow their dream, do not limit yourself by following the paths of others as they pursue their dreams, follow your own and see how far it takes you.

Contact info:
info@btslingerie.com