Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyki Senoj
Hi Alyki, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started with filming first. My first video, I edited it on a Windows PC in 2011, I had to be around 13.
I became very interested with cameras and editing software in the beginning, then started content-creating when I got into high school.
I would make trillers and vine videos from time to time, I wasn’t big on being the subject of my content most of the times, maybe because I started to think too deeply about other people’s opinions as I got older.
I became a more behind-the-scenes person and became uncomfortable in front of the camera until I got an opportunity to be in a fashion show in 2018.
This event is what fostered the birth of my confidence in film and fashion, as I knew these sectors were something that I was heavily invested into coming up, I believed in that moment I created a safe space for myself to create without expectations or validation from other people, mainly because someone took a chance to bet on me that I could bring value to something they were creating.
That energy alone is what keeps me creating today, being a sense of motivation or inspiration for someone to open the collaboration for others.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth isn’t even the word to describe the journey, It’s very transformational. Most of my struggles aren’t struggles. To me, they are challenges that are mainly within. It’s regulating my thoughts, anxiety with my future, growing apart from my friends, my family, that I mostly have difficult time dealing with. It’s a bit funny actually, because you don’t directly look at them as “struggles” or challenges when you’re creating, it’s more like fuel in those moments.
A recent challenge of mine has been congratulating my small wins. I just look at them like, “well, that’s finally over. I finished it. What’s next?”. I started to think, am I waiting for someone else to congratulate me? Am I looking for outside applause? I know I did a good job, but do other people know I did a good job? Does it matter if they know?
Another challenge of mine, that I’m not sure if it’s a “good” challenge or not, is setting my expectations too high in the beginning of a project. I think I create unrealistic milestones that I either burn myself out to accomplish or doubt myself to never complete. It’s this weird, amusing back and forth game I been doing to myself to test my own creative limits, to see if I really want it. Or maybe I’m just sabotaging my own fear. I feel as though my life is a reflection of my decisions, so what makes a good choice, good?
Questions like this help me gauge if what I’m doing is to be shared or to be accepted. Then this too, opens room for exploration in that sense. It’s an endless road of transformation. A constant cycle of finding self and like-minded individuals in the process.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My concentration is film and fashion. I started sewing in 2018, with just a needle and thread. Started with hand sewing then eventually bought my first machine. I then learned how to manipulate patterns, body proportions/alterations, fabric sourcing, etc.
I feel as though I’m in the initiation process of my career. Stepping into new forms, accepting past due responsibilities, just now stepping into this new chapter of creativity. I’m very excited to show more of my projects and pieces that I have been working on these past couple of months as this year continues.
This upcoming project I’m working on is called, The Score. It’s a fashion film about a heist from a recent drop I did on my brand, Midevil Couture: The Fifth Element. It’s more of a debut film for the brand because I’ve had difficulties with setting an identity for the brand in itself, such as finding community and building relationships.
It’s all a process I’m learning to prevail through by opening the collaboration. Knowing my history is what sets me apart, without the collaboration of those before me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Being aware of that, I can pull from infinite timelines of creativity because it’s available to those who are seeking it, and I’m the type of person that doesn’t run out of faith.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
The best way to find a mentor is to socialize at events outside of your field. That’s where you find those who have the right information about funding, creating healthy habits and resources to use. It’s the same with networking, it’s best to open a space of vulnerability to find your people so those who you want to collaborate with won’t think you’re doing it to “climb the social ladder”.
Always be open for feedback about what you’re working on as well. All in all, having discernment is the most effective way to establish what type of people you want to invite into your space. It’s a big world with like-minded individuals, so it’s best to be selective on who you choose to share your ideas with.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.AlykiSenoj.com
- Instagram: @SenojAlyki
Image Credits
Jordynn Simmons
Alyki Senoj
