Designer quickie: Ada Zanditon.

As Dreft Fashion Week Zagreb is coming closer (22-24.11.), I got the chance to interview British designer - Ada Zanditon. This is the second time Ada is showing at DFWZ, last time she did an interview for Croatian press she said that she absolutely loves Zagreb and would love to come back, so she is coming again this year.

I first met Ada at DFWZ after party, we were coming out of the cars at the same time in front of one club and she said "Girl, you look fierce in that dress!" - I was wearing Lei Lou multifunctional fitted dress with long bat sleeves and later wrote a post called 'Ada the Fierce'.  Ada was all smiles that night after she showed her rather impressive collection called  Poseisus. 

My favorite thing about Ada is not only her amazing designer talent but also her passion for creating sustainable fashion pieces in this time of crises when most designers are focused on how to increase the income and not much thinking about how damaging their product creation might be for environment or where are they sourcing their materials. Also - Ada worked for the house of McQueen - my absolute favorite brand in the world. :)

What was your inspiration for SS 2013 season which you will show this week in Zagreb?

My inspiration for spring  summer 2013 is tigers, Particularly the way that the female tiger is both majestic elegant and beautiful and I made a narrative based around the tigress As if she was a woman in a Quentin Tarantino film. Here is the short preview. 

How much effort does your brand put into sourcing and producing eco-sustainable fashion pieces? Why is this important to you?

We make a great deal of effort to source our  fabrics sustainability and from transparent sources it is important to me to do this because I want to show that it is possible to create products which are desirable, innovative and interesting. I want to create a narrative that can be engaged with because it is a creative story or because it is analogy about our relationship to our environment, Whatever someone chooses to take from the collection as long as it's inspiring, then that's what's important. 

Either someone will choose my brands because it is sustainable and they like the product or they will choose it simply just because they like the product. 

Do you feel the impact of economic crises on your creative work? How much did the economic crises affect the sales of your collections if any?

It has been a very big challenge to grow a business during the recession however it has also given me resilience and strength that I have Milans how to grow a business on the download economic climate, make it flourish and continue to grow.

Alexander McQueen is my all time favorite fashion designer. How would you describe the experience of working for the house of McQueen?

I am very lucky to have had some good work experience before setting up my brand. All the work experience that I did helped me to understand how tough the fashion industry is and what level of dedication and perfectionism would be required in order to create a brand.

Do you think that in today’s day and age fashion designer needs to be equally a creative genius and a business person in order to build profitable brand?

In today's climate if you are a new designer and you are independent and you cannot afford to pay someone else to do the business side entirely for you, then absolutely you must be good at the business as well.

 I have to spend at least as much of my time answering emails and working on the business strategy as I do spend being able to design and make things.

Fashion photographer quickie: Daša Gajić.

For this post I had a great pleasure to interview a lovely lady photographer, Mrs.Daša Gajić, who contacted me as a follower of my blog and we continued to set a theme for the photographs you will see in this post. 

I suggested and Daša agreed to describe a lady through different stages of her life in black and white photography. Daša was kind enough to follow through and put together a lovely portfolio of emotional and real life photos which best desribe a lifetime of a lady in Banja Luka, Belgrade and Venice.

Read through this short interview to meet Daša and her lovely ladies in black and white. 

When did you start photographing, do you consider photography your profession?  

Photography was part of my life as far as I can remember it. I grew up in artistic surrounding, and camera was one of my first toys. I was part of my first team exhibition when I was 13, but I never knew or planned photography to become my profession. I was focused mostly on studying political science, getting my masters degree and with looking for a “real” paying job, however, my love for photography overcame it all.

In 2010. Photography has become my profession, while I feel like I learned and grew the most this summer. This year was an absolute fairytale for me as it comes to photography! My fairytale continues through this fall as well, true testimonial for this is also this interview for a fashion blog which I regularly follow and love.

Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"This is one of my favorite street-style photos from Banja Luka, Bosnia. 

This lady is dressed quit stylish, 

she is proving that a lady can look elegant even when riding a bike." 

Do you ever think about fashion when you take photos? How do you define fashion?

I love fashion, but I don’t follow fashion trends much. Fashion is inspiration source for me, it is a game, source of joy and integral part of daily life.

As one of the most amazing fashion designers Dries Van Notes said:

"Coincidence is important, the convergence of different ideas, 

but sometimes you think so much that at the end it is dead.”

My personal view of fashion and photography is similar to his, I am trying to find this fine balance of coincidence and inspiration, I try to enjoy what I am doing, give it my personal mark and don’t put too much thinking into it.

Belgrade, Serbia.

"I usually don’t like to take photos of people from their back, this photo is an exception. 

I really like how mum and daughter outfits are matching.

 I really think this little girl will be a true fashionista when she grows up." 

Do you think that a person can learn to be a good photographer or one needs to have that “special something”?

I think it is extremely important to learn, to educate yourself, practice and continue to progress in technical and creative sense. It is very important to follow the work and learn from other photographers but I also agree that one needs to have that X factor, “an eye” to catch interesting things at right time on a right way.

My general motto is: 

“Learn all you can learn, and the forget all you learned so you could create.”

Venice, Italy.

"This lady defines elegance as per dictionary definition. 

Her outfit is simple, casual but sophisticated and balanced."

Do you think that photography as a format will essentially die out with development of new technologies and with advance of video format?

It’s hard to say, I hope it will not, although it is true that more and more photographers are turning to video format. I still think that the best days of photography are ahead of us.

Follow Daša's work via her Facebook page and her Streetstyle Banja Luka Facebook page.

How to organize your closet? by Erin Mack

Erin Mack

I was delighted to interview my ex-coworker in Rugby Ralph Lauren, Mrs.Erin Mack who's passion is closet organizing.  Erin is 24 years old and lives in NYC. She thoroughly enjoys going through drawers, closets, bins and making them look pretty! She enjoys organizing as well as elements of interior design. 

How and when did you decide that you would like to work as closet organizer? 

I have always had a passion for organizing. It started as a child, on snow days. I used to go through my mom’s pantry and closets and organize for fun. I remember loving the feeling after my work was done and seeing the difference I had made. My mom obviously LOVED it as well. It recently became something that I wanted to do as a job after meeting and working with a fellow Professional Organizer Jeffrey Phillip.

What are the most common mistakes which people make when organizing their closet?

I think that most people don’t spend the time on organizing. They view it as a daunting task that they just don’t have the time for. I feel that many people have the wrong mindset before taking this task on. I also think that people don’t go through the proper prep work before starting organizing. Utilizing great tools that stores like The Container Store and Bed Bath and Beyond have. It is becoming easier than before to keep organized and take the guess work out of where to put things. Buying bins and baskets to store your clothes within your closet, is more important than just hanging all your clothes by color.

Living in NYC with rental prices as high as they are, one needs to learn to use the living space wisely how high is the demand for using the closet organizing services and who are the people who seek for your help the most?

It definitely is an art-form to fit everything in a tiny NYC apartment that is why many people seek out the work of Professional Organizers. There are many people who use organizers, there is even a website where you can source an organizer that’s right for you and learn more about this profession. www.napo.net as well as www.yelp.com  for organizers in your area.

Erin mum's closet

Erin's apartment

Collage of Erin's work

I’m finding it difficult to reach out to the early to mid twenty age group (My age group). Many of them do not have the discretional income yet to spend on an organizer. It’s also a challenge when many twenty something in NYC are moving year to year and have not settled in a home where they can keep up with the work the organizer has done. A majority of my clientele is older with a family.

Who would you say is worst when organizing their stuff men or women and why?

Haha that is a tough one. I think women have more of a desire to be organized than men but naturally are messier. I know that’s true for me. Overall, I guess it’s just depends on the person. No battle of the sexes here! I think that might be because women naturally have more possessions than men. We have makeup, hair products, shoes, jewelry, and clothes to keep track of, and many more of them. I think many women are in a hurry trying to get to work, or school, or meeting friends etc. All of these products and possessions get left out or stored away quickly in that mix.

What are the top 5 tips you would give to your client to keep in mind when it comes to closet organization?

1. CLEAN your closet and make a plan. Buy anything you might need beforehand and return after. Make sure you do any measurements first!

2. DONATE old clothes that you haven’t worn in a year. Create and keep and donate pile.

3. SORT your closet how you want. You may want to keep like items together, or organize by color, or put what you wear often in a place that’s easy to grab.

4. STORE non season clothes out of your closet for more space.

5. WILL YOURSELF TO MANTAIN. Instead of leaving your clothes on the chair, make a promise to yourself that you will keep up with the work. Only you will know if you’ve broken that promise to yourself.

When one decides to use your services how does it work and how much does it cost in average?

They would contact me for a consultation on this email. I need to make sure they are not hoarders that are something I will NOT do. From there we discuss what they are looking for and we go from there. Price wise it depends on the job. I’m still new at this so I’m working on what feels comfortable for me.

How do you go about organizing your closet lovelies? Do share the pics and ideas via my Facebook site I would love to learn about closet organization from you!

Make up artist quickie: Tom Pecheux.

This is a very special interview with Mr. Tom Pecheux for Estée Lauder done backstage at Derek Lam show at New York Fashion Week SS 2013. You can see the rest of the backstage photos and show review in my previous post.

If you are not familiar with Tom's work, you can read a bit more about Tom here.
Style.com saids: "After a career that's spanned two decades, Pecheux joined Estée Lauder as its creative makeup director last November, with the intention of injecting "fashion, fantasy, naughtiness, and above all youth" into the 64-year-old brand. "

“I love using gold gloss to neutralize the pinkness of lips.”

Tom Pecheux

How would you describe the make-up look for this show?

Very feminine, very elegant, but very discreet. It's very pastel, I will call it, “aqua color”. You discover the subtle color, the subtle shimmer, little by little. It's a make-up for a woman who is very self confident, who likes to be made up, who likes to be sophisticated, who is playful, but also who likes to be discreet.

How did the clothing influence the look?

When you are a makeup artist and you work for a fashion show, of course you work with a designer, the most important things are the clothes, but at the end it’s women who are wearing the clothes, so the overall look is important. Clothes, hair, make-up, accessories and since for this season the collection is very luxurious and colorful, it was important to keep the makeup in the same mood but in a very subtle and gentle way. I didn’t want the woman to become too colorful, too playful, too much. We like elegance, we don't like to "show off."

Would you say it’s an understated look?

The look is pretty minimal. What you see looks minimal, but the work is not and that’s because we work on every part of the face. The only thing we didn't use, which most women do, is mascara. Everything else is there. Skin care, foundation, concealer, lipstick, shimmer, contour, eyebrow, eye-shadow - so the result looks minimal, but the work is not. 

How long have you been working with Derek?

For about 10 years.

What is it like to work with him?

It is getting better and better because we have become good friends outside of work. We know each other and we understand each other, and he makes it very easy. You know when you are close to people, you can speak truly: "I like, I don't like, I think it's not quite there yet". When you like people, you want to please the people you work with and we are both very happy to work together. And of course, if I can help Derek in any way to make his woman more beautiful and to complete his collection I am thrilled to be there.

So there is a lot of trust?

Yes.

How does it work with Derek? How much direction does he tend to give you?

Derek always appears very serene. He is very quiet. So he delivers alot without talking a lot. The words he chooses are always very sharp and very neat. Also his collection is very sharp and very neat. When clothes say a lot, the designer does not have to say a lot. He generally doesn’t tell me anything specific, more like a mood, the type of woman he would like to see on the runway. We communicate very well because we know each other very well. That is the beauty of working with somebody that you trust and that you know, but who still every time surprises you. Every collection with Derek is a surprise - the fabrics he uses, the way he shapes them and the woman he creates. He reinvents himself every season, but at the end it's a Derek Lam woman. Even if the collections are different each season.

"I always try to respect the woman and make the makeup work for her." 

Tom Pecheux

Can you talk about the different products you were using?

I'm using a few products that I really like. I am using three products on the eyes, and I am using those two products on the lips. They are new products called shadow paints. They are creamy, and they dry on your eyelid, so they are very stable afterwards. And why do I use eyeshadow on the lips? Because basically it’s a creamy eyeshadow, and lipstick is a creamy product, so, the texture is very similar. Except that lipstick doesn't dry. This dries on the lips so it is very stable. And I used to cook, and I love to cook, so I like to cook make-up. I know people who like to make some rules. I don't know if I necessarily like to break the rules, but I like to play with the rules.

Artist quickie: Carl Bailey.

You are a true artist, you write music, you sing, you graduated with degree in fashion marketing and you worked in the fashion industry...what is your #1 love? Where do you see yourself in the future and what’s your dream job?

My #1 love! Is and will always be music. Music has played a major role in my life. I grew up around it and was one of the first form of arts that I was naturally exposed to.  At one point my dad was a music producer and he also had a wild eclectic record collection, so I guess it rubbed off on me from the very beginning.  As early as I can remember it's the only thing that felt like second nature to me. As far as where I see myself in the near future... Definitely continuing  to  pursue what I love and want to do and making an impact on peoples lives around the world by giving them music that they can truly relate to. That to me would be the greatest success! My dream job has always been to be an artist! I’m currently in the process of putting out new music this fall as well as videos!

The first song you released is titled "Fighting", I think this song resonates with all who tried to live and survive in NYC, what does it mean for you?

"Fighting" means everything to me! It's pretty much like my auto -biography. I wrote in retrospect of everything I've been thorough, everything I've faced, not just throughout this journey over the past few years, but my entire life is in that one song. It touches on so many different subjects that I know everyone can relate to in some way shape or form. I'm glad I wrote it! I needed to!         

 What are your future plans when it comes to music and fashion?

Well for me I think with both avenues (Music and Fashion) I just want to keep growing and evolving as much as possible. I express a great deal of who I am through my music and as well as in the way I dress. I'm always changing. I get board easily... So who knows ?… I don’t!    

We worked together in Rugby RL for more than a year, what are your most memorable moments from the time you worked in Rugby? - share only decent ones ;) 

....HmmmM...probably throwing my temper tantrums! Lol! No, but really I'd have to say Rugby is where I realized it was time for me to chase my calling, my dream! I was exposed to so many different genres of music, cultures and styles. It was a great growing/learning experience. I loved being able to take the time out to work on creative projects, displays, and interacting with different people. I was able to walk away from that situation with so much positive things added to me. So I can’t really pin-point specific moments, but overall, it was a memorable experience.

What are the top 5 MUST HAVE items which you think that every fashionable guy needs to have for the FW season?

IF your Fashionable... For the Fall/Winter season… A bad ass leather jacket is a must! I’m really into poncho’s, I think they can be a sick layering piece there’s so many different ways you can rock them, Sweatshirts with cool detail, Skinny chino’s, and a pair of Chelsea boots!

 Styled By: Heather Sands Photographed By: Daniel Barbosa

 You modeled for one of the shows in the NYFW this week, how did you like this experience and how was the atmosphere in the backstage?

 I still can’t believe I had the chance to be apart of something like that! Especially for Ozwald Boateng! It was completely out of my comfort zone, which was cool because it gave me a chance to tap into something else. 

Carl Bailey for Ozwald Boateng at NYFW SS 2013.

Backstage it was really crazy and chaotic. Lots of press running around snapping pictures, we had to practice our walks, and there was a hair stylist running around spraying hair spray in my hair every 5 minutes! hehe. This was all at the same time for about 3 hours, which made me nervous as shit! By the time it was my turn to hit the runway it felt just natural for me as performing, it gave me the same rush.

Carl Bailey for Ozwald Boateng at NYFW SS 2013.

Designer quickie: SOEL by Sonja Lamut

When did you realize that you want to become a fashion designer?

I got attracted to fashion design and started thinking about it in a more serious manner fairly late, right after I entered graphic design school, but my love for fashion design has been growing ever since.

How did you come up with your brand’s name? What does it mean SOEL?

Few years ago I have brainstorming about my first and last name combinations when opening a new email address account until I got a name which looked and sounded good to me so I kept it for my brand name as well.

On which fashion contests did you participate so far and with which results?

Fashion incubator was first contest which I participated on and this was my starting point, after this I participated in Cro-a-porter which was my biggest wish in terms of events to participate on.

Who are your professional role models?

I don't call them people role models; I call them my loves in fashion sense of course, because I was intrigued by them just as I would be intrigued by the real-life loves. Marc Jacobs I consider a special category, a whole different love affair and have him in a separate box not to mix him up with others.  J

What was your inspiration for the last collection you showed on Cro-a-porter?

For a fairly long time I was obsessed with empty hard as inspiration. It all started with one peplum blazer and shirt with heart detail last year – I felt like I needed to tap into this inspiration some more. I named my collection „love more“exactly because of these empty hearts, as a message to people to fill their hearts better and love each other more!

How do you see Croatian fashion industry today?

The current situation in Croatian fashion industry is not good at all, but this just means that it can be better which is motivational for me! I like what I am doing and I am enjoying fashion and I am trying not to be bothered by negatives of it, I think I am way too small to change anything.

Do you think that fashion designer today needs to have a formal fashion education in order to be successful and profitable?

No. I know a lot of people who are self-taught designers and who have a good nose for business; they are the living proof that one doesn't need a formal education to be successful fashion designer.

You have a degree in graphic design, but you also went to fashion school, do you think that fashion school has prepared you for successful management of your own fashion business?

In school, everything was more structured; there were some rules, now when I am taking pleasure in breaking those rules and proving them otherwise.

Do you think that one can live solely of fashion design in Croatia?

 Yes, I do. One just needs to adjust to current situation locally.

How much showing on Cro-a-porter fashion event did help you in selling and promoting your new collection?

This was the only public showing of my collection and my best investment so far.

Who are the women you would like to see wearing your pieces? All women are welcome!

What is the most important at the beginning of creating a new collection for you? What kind of fabrics do you use?

 I like to use natural fabrics. Cotton is always first option, but I also like to play with other a bit more artificial fabrics which can give a nice touch to pieces.

Me in coral SOEL body top

What is the price range of your pieces?

 I have adjusted my prices to fit the average Croatian budget.

How do you see the influence of social media and fashion bloggers to fashion industry globally?

I see social media as a widow for those who never walk through my street. Social media and bloggers coverage are surely very effective way of promoting designer brand.

What is the next in line for you?

(Boutique sales, opening my own shop, international sales etc.) First of my own brand boutique and after this everything else.

Foto: Franjo Matković Make up: Kristina Pavlov Model: Lada Marmelada Torbe: Mica Torbica Sa Šlagom Nakit: Etoile de mer

Designer quickie: La Luna London

Emina Hadžić is a London based designer, originally from Bosnia, she is a lady behind the young La Luna London designer brand. Her team asked me to review her romantic, RTW Spring/Summer 2012. collection. As soon as I ran through photos I had my favorites! Lovely black lace and mustard silk lining and maxi red dress worn by Scottie Thompson on the photo bellow.

Overall, I liked the down to Earth, real women in mind approach and smart targeting Emina is doing with her brand. Her target customers are very much so real, working women, her models, lookbook setting and the collection feel is realistic, romantic and feminine. There is not much Photoshop and super skinny models involved which is quite refreshing in today's fashion industry environment. Her SS 2012. collection is focused on dresses all made of luxury materials such as silk, lace and chiffon, with pencil structured dress as her signature piece. 

Emina's dresses are worn by many real life women naturally but also many celebrities in US, UK and Balkans, ranging from various TV hosts like E!News's Liz Hernandez, Ashlan Gorse to Mika Newton, Emily Moore, Scottie Thompson and Lepa Brena :)

Scottie Thompson featured in Regard Magazine December 2011., California

Were you ever approached by any of the organizers of fashion events in Croatia, Bosnia or Serbia and would you ever consider showing your collection on any of them?

I was actually approached by Stella from ABC models in Sarajevo for Sarajevo Fashion week Spring/Summer 2012 unfortunately due to some very important meetings and appointments I could not attend. However, I am looking forward to taking part in the very near future.

Where do you sell your clothes? Do you have a showroom,do you sell online or via multibrand boutiques?

At the moment I am only selling via ASOS.com, I figured as I am only just starting out it would be a good try out and then I will concentrate on opening my own store. I am currently working on a showroom but I just cant seem to decide where to open it..London or Los Angeles. We are also working along side few online stores to get La Luna London collection sold via them..so many things happening at the moment. 

La Luna London Mini Crepe dress sold via Asos

Are you ever planing to go towards mass production or would you prefer to have a smaller more exclusive stores in selected locations?

 To be honest, I don't think I will ever go towards mass production. I prefer to make smaller quantities and have my dresses sold by more exclusive stores rather than big retailers. I also think that I will only ever open one or two stores, just to make it all little bit more exclusive and exciting.

 What are the demographics of your customers?

I feel like knowing your target audience in this business is crucial, our customers range from the age of 20 to 45. We are a brand that concentrates on everyday working women, who also have a fun side and who appreciate true style at the same time.

Do you have a "signature piece" and would you please indicate a price range of your pieces?

My signature piece is my structured pencil dress, my dresses are bound to flatter your body in every possible way. La Luna London dresses range from 200 GBP to 1,700 GBP. 

You can find out more about this young designer brand on La Luna London website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Designer quickie: Teo Perić

For a while now I am following your work and the way you showcase it. You are not keen to show at media events and to speak publically, what is the reason behind it?

One of my friends interprets my avoidance of media as a paranormal behavior (even when I do attend a media event) and he saids that paranormal is always IN. I don't have a special reason for not showing up at media events, I do come if I am interested and invited but I am aware that I am perceived as a private and shy person.

Your pieces seem to be made with „real“ everyday women in mind, they are wearable, romantic, seductive, how would you describe your average client? Who is she?

For me, all women are divas! They walk every day over invisible red carpet to work, to pick up their kids at the kindergarten, to meet a friend for a coffee or to go out clubbing at night. My clients are working, urban women who wants to be elegant all day long, but still quite chic when it is appropriate. I nurture retro chic style of designing clothes, I want and try to create timeless pieces or to redesign historically timeless pieces.

Photos: www.moda.hr editorial

In one of your interview I have read that you would like to design shoes. Do you have any concrete plans in that department currently? Which Croatian producer did you have in mind? Would you have your own brand of shoes?

All that I wanted to do so far in life I managed to do, but on a bit different way. However designing shoes has remained my unfulfilled wish unfortunately so far.  I would definitely design my own collection, the only company technically capable to produce a proper shoe in Croatia is Borovo factory in Vukovar.

Footwear is different then clothing, in shoe making millimeters matter, if you make a minor mistake that shoe is no good anymore, it is very hard to make a good quality shoe!

Past March you have presented your 10^thcollection for local clothing brand Mak. How satisfied are you with this cooperation? Is it more profitable and safer for Croatian designer to build his own brand or to work for an established clothing brand? What are advantages and disadvantages based on your experience?

Based on positive media and client feedback on my last show, which I had on last Cro-a-porter, I am very happy with my long term cooperation with Mak clothing brand. I am very proud that I managed to build up Mak brand with my collections in Croatian market.

To have own clothing brand is an ultimate goal of every fashion designer. I design my own line under the name Teo.P, this brand is idle at the moment. Mak clothing brand collections I sign as Teo Perić.  For a number of seasons now I have in parallel design as a contributor for numerous fashion houses and my own brands (which is 4 collections a year).

To have own line means having your own design style and creative freedom and to take upon all of the responsibility for the results. Designing for other clothing brands means designing within a predetermined frame for already existing customer pool. Creating two totally different collections in style is quite exhausting and demanding, but every real love story hurts a bit, so does this mine fashion love story.

Why do you show your collections at Cro-a-porter? Do you think there are to many fashion events in Croatia?

I have tremendous respect towards the organizer Viktor Drago who started this event 10 years ago and challenged all other local events.  I think Cro-a-porter is very influential in branding of Croatian fashion designers and creating a local fashion market. Thank you Viktor!

You were offered to move and work abroad but you decided to stay in Croatia, why?

I see life as a puzzle which always misses one piece. During 90's I was interested into working abroad, and in 1996. In Seoul I got the offer from Ebenezer Company to stay and work in Korea. However, as I returned back home I got offered a job as a main designer for the local fashion brand  Nebo.

After 6 years working for Nebo I have continued my fashion journey with my own brand, store and a studio in the city center in Zagreb.

Do you think that in today’s economy it is important for a designer to be equally good business man as a talented designer?

It is quite rare that a talented designer is also a capable business man. Designers are usually artists, artists are cheap. In today’s economy, market and in fashion system, a talented fashion team without a good businessman can hardly succeed. A successful international designer brands lie on such designer- businessman collaborations.

Every season you show quite mature, complete, good quality and wearable collections, you don’t follow trends much and many of your pieces could be cold classics which can be worn season in and season out. Do you think that women in Croatia recognize and appreciate well made clothes or are we to focus on trends and name on the label?

Trend factor is a measure of quality for most, producer and a shopper but also for some designer. I don't follow trends, I don't think I make them; I focus on making timeless pieces.

Croatians are very fashion nation, especially women, who very much appreciate and buy good quality fabrics and making. I come from a family of tailors and clothes makers – my biggest role model is my late father who was a tailor. My mother is a true fashionista with an amazing style and my sisters have tought me all about trends, anti-trends, branded and unbranded clothes.

Do you think that Croatian designer made clothes can compete with price and quality with mass produced low end brands like H&M and Zara?

No, but with Croatia entering EU I see more potential of Croatian designers working with local clothing factories on mass factory producing their collections and selling them globally. Current situation in Croatian textile industry is not allowing this to happen.

How do you see the fashion bloggers, social media and street style influencing fashion industry globally? Is this influence positive or negative?

Fashion defines who we are; this is where I think fashion bloggers came from a need to express ourselves, our personality, through clothes we wear. I see this as a positive trend and influence on global fashion industry as they inspire and leave no one ambiguous, which is good for design and industry overall.