From Russia with love..

When I think of Russia, I think of caviar, pastel coloured fur coats, Mercedes and "bling-bling". Pretty, covetable dresses isn't really what comes to mind.. Well, Russian designer Vika Gazinskaya proved me wrong! I do want something Russian, and it has nothing to do with fur or vodka..

Her designs are totally wearable (except made for that pink dress) yet futuristic and structured: everything I like! The fabrics she uses look fantastic and the overall designs almost organic. The girl also sure knows how to use colour! I want everything, except maybe that pink dress again, for obvious questions of practicality..

As curious as I am, I had to investigate a bit further and decided to interview Vika. Outcome of our e-mail exchanges after the jump..

OnePerfectMorning: Tell us, who is Vika Gazinskaya? Where do you come from? How old are you? What's your background/studies?
Vika Gazinskaya: I was born in Moscow. I studied Costume design at the University of Design. On the 3rd course, I started to work as a stylist for l'Officiel Russia. I think that was my second great school. My first great school wasn't University actually, it was the teachers that taught me before I graduated: drawing, graphism, painting, composition, etc..

OPM: What was this collection about? What were your major influences?
VG: I was playing all around soup bubble - it's color, shapes, texture... And also I was trying to break my usual rectangular shapes. I changed the fabrics from the heavy silks for the pleated chiffon, experimental polyester and others...
About my influences, there's plenty of them: the work of Cristobal Balenciaga, the photographs of Guy Bourdin, the paintings of Matisse, the sculptures of Antony Gormley , Giacometti and Richard Serra, the movies of David Lynch, geniuses such as Forsythe, Linch, Greenaway, R. Willson... Oh! And music!!! Bach, Shnitke, Rakhmaninov, Deep Purple, Radiohead, choral music, and so on...

Early works of Cristobal Balenciaga

Works of Richard Serra, Antony Gormley and Giacometti

Photographs by Guy Bourdin

OPM:When you create your clothes, who do you imagine you're dressing? What kind of girl is the ideal "Vika Gazinskaya" girl?
VG: My woman differentiate herself from the majority: she is a perfectionnist, she knows what she wants and how to get it!

OPM: What's your favorite look out of your current collection?
VG: In every new collection I try to get new cuts and new shapes, so it is not one favourite but several of them. (See below)

OPM: The fabrics you're using seem really rich and sturdy, what are they? Where did you source them? Is everything produced and sourced in Russia?
VG: No, are you joking? There is NO-THING in Russia - even fashion is a small proportion of what Russia is. :) I attend Premier Vision exhibition (in Paris) every season. There, I search for
something new and dfferent every time. Usually, I make small orders from the same fabrics
companies who produce for YSL, Lanvin, Dries Van Noten, etc..

OPM: Where can we find your collection? Any online retailers?
VG: At the moment, it is only stocked in Moscow - at the main Department Store - TSUM.

OPM: When it comes to Russian fashion, I have very little knowledge. How would you describe it? Do you think it is a total different style/ environment or on the other hand, do you think it is very comparable to other western countries?

VG: It is not even worth thinking about and getting into.. sorry... It is just that I do not like it...

OPM: Do you think your brand/collection illustrate the "typical Russian" women?
VG: I hope not! What do you think?

OPM: Is your collection a reflection of what you actually wear?
VG: Some parts of it yes - the other - are pieces I would love to wear, but I would need to be slimmer for that. :)

(c) Vika by Jak and Jil

OPM: What are the five things that make up your personal "look"?
VG: Hair, arrows (on the eyes and stockings), heels, long and heavy earrings.

OPM: What items will you be buying this season?
VG: It will depend. On my mood, my situation or whatever. Last year, I was in Uzbekistan (the previous part of Soviet Union) and I fell in love with the prints they've been doing for centuries. I ordered a national coat but modernized it a lit bit (See picture). When in London, I love to look around the area of Shoreditch and Brick lane - I always find some masterpieces there...



OPM: Where do you mostly shop? Favorite online shops?
VG: I shop everywere! Even in Uzbekistan as you can see!

OPM: What are your favorite brands, or brands we should look into?
VG: Without a doubt: YSL by Stefano Pilatti, Lanvin by Albert Elbaz, and Prada (mainly menswear).

OPM: If you could swap closets with anyone living or dead who would that be?
VG: I would not - I am happy with mine!