THE name Dodjie Batu could by synonymous to the successful fashion house Patahian. But, there is more to that name.
Dodjie is not only a respected fashion designer. He is also someone whose heart is for the development of the entire industry.
Being at the helm of the Davao Fashion Design Council (DFDC), he is dedicated to continue such advocacy.
“As a leader, my thrust is to keep our vision of promoting our council and the industry in the region in the right track,” he said.
According to him, his organization works hand-in-hand with the communities not only to give sustainable livelihood but to safeguard the welfare of the people involved as well.
“It motivates me when projects are slowly but surely moving forward. The feeling of success of every job done makes me strive more to do better,” he shared.
As the president of DFDC, he has been active in promoting and realizing their goals.
“I am a leader who always listens before any decisions are made. I am tapping all resources that we can tap to further promote not only our council but the whole region,” he said.
DFDC has been open in reaching out to other places to promote their designs.
“My greatest contribution would be to help our council stay afloat,” he said, while noting that “We bask in the glory of our successes but I help remind them that this is just the beginning, so we have to strive harder.”
Dodjie has been a designer for more than two decades already. The wisdom he has gained all these years have surely contributed to his passion to help other designers.
“I have always been into fashion ever since I was young. Styling my own outfits and going to designers for special functions. It is when Aztec Barba and I started PATAHIAN a little less than 25 years ago that I dabbled into mainstream fashion designing,” he recalled.
Dodjie shared that his inspiration has always come from his personal experiences. Nevertheless, this evolved over the years.
“My inspiration now is more into our rich culture and heritage and how to accept the challenge in injecting it to my contemporary designs,” he said.
As a designer, he describes himself as “passionate.” He is someone who never stops learning to become better and better each day.
A true leader as he is, Dodjie is not afraid of competition. He believes that everyone has a place in the industry. However, everyone must continue to innovate and improve.
To the aspiring and new designers, Dodjie has this to say: “There is no shortcuts to success. Learn the trade. Be your best critic. Believe in yourselves.”
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