What was your first project?
My first fashion-related project was my fashion blog called “Wild Young Heart”. It was during the blog boom worldwide, but for Russia it was relatively new, so it was easier to stand out. I used it to showcase uncomfortable outfits created for me that I would then photograph wearing and publish. I have beautiful memories of those times.
Creative process: do you work instinctively or do you plan every small step? Where do your ideas come from?
I would say that I usually work instinctively, during the year some images come to my mind and I start organizing them and keeping them for future collections. The moods that I imagine and see I always use two collections later. You won’t find images of textures, nature, architecture, or similar things in my moodboards. It’s more about the concepts of the clothes themselves, like making a feminine dress from stiffer denim – I like concepts in opposition.
What did you think when you were first contacted by Berto?
I’m a huge fan of artisanal “couture” denim, it’s extremely exciting to be recognized as a talent by a company like Berto. So I was honored to have received the proposal to become part of the team.
Which Berto fabric did you use for your project/collection?
So far I have used the 12.5 oz black denim for creating my Irregular Pleated Stitched skirt from the FW17-18 collection and I plan to expand the choice of rigid and indigo denims for next season to create more elegant pieces.
What is the most significant part of this project in your opinion? What were you able to achieve thanks to this program?
It’s very difficult to get support for an emerging designer nowadays due to lack of options and great competition. So having a great artisanal company like Berto supporting you in promotion and production is a great starting point to progress organically in the fashion industry. Special discounts and no MOQ is the best gift any young designer can hope to have!
“Less but better” can be read as the endorsement of a certain degree of purity in design but also in fashion design. It can also be understood as an environmental message about reduction and sustainability. What do you think?
I believe that not oversaturating clothing production is a business key for future designers. I don’t see any reason to produce another white t-shirt or another pair of jeans, when there are other designers and brands that can do it better than me. So why not create something unique instead? I myself produce only on demand and in small quantities, a type of clothing that can be harder to find in the commercial market.
Is there something you would like to do that you haven’t done yet?
I would like to travel to Australia to hug a koala.
