Cara (2001) Drawing by Ditu

A Filipino Jewish American, Ditu founder/designer Layla Abramowitz found that her diverse origins set a base for creative, unconventional thinking and a destiny for globetrotting. New York based, Layla struggled with the idea to go to art or fashion school, but decided that fashion would work as the medium to fulfill her artistic talents best. In 2000 she began studying at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, graduating with honors with a BFA in International Fashion Design in 2004. During her education, Layla studied in Florence, Italy, earning FIT’s coveted “Most Creative and Artistic” design award. She additionally trained in competitive, specialized programs in England, beginning her specialization into knits, and France, where she honed tailoring and corsetry skills under a classical Parisian couturiere.

Upon graduating, Layla gained invaluable experience working in New York alongside Zac Posen on his ready-to-wear collection, then in China with international luxury brand Ports1961. Fascinated by both the highly structured sculpting of corsetry as well as with the flexible possibilities of knitwear, Layla decided to launch her own label, infusing her solid background of couture, lingerie and knits. “To make fabric from yarn is like cooking from scratch,” Layla says. So she found a way to create a hybrid for knit corsets, so they would be structured yet malleable. With a unique background that allows her to design both technically and conceptually, Layla’s true design talent comes through in Ditu, a luxury knitwear label merging the avant-garde with chic wear-ability.

• Nationality: UNITED STATES
• Date of birth : unknown date
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary American Artists