INTERVIEW: Vjera Vilicnik

I managed to steal a few precious moments of designer VJERA VILICNIK's time over Christmas to ask her about her upcoming London Fashion Week debut and what inspires her. Clasically trained at the prestigious Ecole Lesage, Vjera takes traditional embroidery methods and incorporates them into modern tailored designs.She's a lovely person and is truly one to watch in fashion...

Where do you get most of your inspiration?

 In surrounding life.art.music.movies.people that in some way catch my imagination.

 I have to be emotionally involved with the theme, with what pushes the collection forward in order to fully dedicate myself to the story. Every collection is a love story, a poem, not written, but created, and each collection is handed out to the public as a bit of me. Every season I fall in love with a muse,song,colour or shape, and the collection tells the story of my relationship with the inspiration from wonderful beginning, through raw passion , to the saddest end.

Wow! So what prompted you to start your own fashion label?

 I had a big support from my family and close friends, and their belief in me helped with the sleepless nights and keeping my focus. Having a strong vision also helped. I have many stories to shares, and  I was very blessed that the public responded so well with the collections so far.

Great! Hopefully that will continue at Fashion week! Describe the person you are designing for? 

 The woman in my mind, my muse, is a woman full of contradictions, but they are not really opposed to each other.

Charlotte Gainsbourg

She is a girl becoming a woman that still dances the night away. She is a hard working woman, and a gentle lover. She is always kind, but strong and can hold a conversation on every topic. She loves reading big fat books, and  having coffee with friends.

She lives in a big city, and loves dusk when all the city is bursting with light and adrenalin...               but she dreams of moving to the country side and making her own jam.

 She recognises quality and appreciates creative process. My person is a person that most of all is a real woman but she creates her own world of endless posibillities.

So ideally, which celebrity would you love to see wearing your designs?

I would love to bring back Edith Piaf to life and see how she behaves today. I love Charlotte Gainsbourg, her fragility contrasts with her strength and her loveliness with her awkwardness. Outside of the celebrity world, it is my sister who is a real loving hero of mine, and who I would name my muse.

Edith Piaf who Vjera would love to meet and dress

 

What has been the high point of your fashion career so far?

  Every time I hand stitch the label on the finished garment, I realize how happy I am that the customers recognized a good product and share my aesthetic. Without the lovely Vjera Vilicnik supporters, all this wouldn't be possible and I thank them for that.

Where do you see your designs in 5 years’ time?

 Hopefully I will have my own little shop by then, work on collections with the same passion and grow from strength to strength. It would be a dream come true if designing eventually becomes a steady income.

What are looking forward to most about LFW?

 I can't wait to showcase a new collection, to meet new people and get into the unknown. Being in a new environment scares me, but also pushes me forward and makes me work even harder.

What advice would you give to other aspiring independent designers?

 Work hard! Be sure that being a designer is what you really want, most of anything. There are so many talented people out there, especially in London, so be aware that it will be hard, but even more rewarding.

Vjera Vilicnik will showcase her latest collection at the Charing Cross hotel, Strand on Saturday 19th February 2011 as part of LGN Events off-schedule London Fashion Week catwalk show - A LA MODE. 

Press and buyers wishing to attend should contact sarah@lagenevenorth.co.uk. Tickets for the general public are VERY limited but can be purchased here