With a series of interviews with young designers. who showed at last year’s Fashionclash Festival, we’d like to explore what their dreams, hopes and positioning are. First up is Serbian Ivana Mišić.
Hello Ivana, how are you today?
Hello, everyone! At this moment I feel inspired and in love.
How does your own description of your designs differ from others’?
Our design is specific by the fact that we don’t follow trends. But, following my inner feelings while creating, results in that it actually follows world trends. Those are pieces that are specific, elegant and exclusive. They differ because wearing them, you will be spotted in any occasion, although we are trying to make them wearable for every day.
What the most important aspect in your design process?
First of all, designing models, where we immediately define what the design should look like viewed from all sides. Then, realisation, where sometimes the initial idea has to be changed a bit. That’s why we try to define everything in the beginning, containing research and testing of materials: if they are suitable for the planned design, if the design can be used made of it. We have to consider all sorts of possible discomforts, whether it’s high fashion or a simple design.
What are you most proud of?
Considering how difficult it is to handle everything in order to find your place in the fashion world I’m proud that – in the moments when the easiest way was to give up – I managed to find a way to continue. In all that the most important thing is the support from the family and the ones that love you. That is what helps to beat all challenges and barriers. This year we celebrate ten years of our work and I’m happy I learned to be patient as everything comes in the right way. Of course I’m proud of all of the prices I got for my work also.
We see a lot of change happening in the fashion industry at the moment – brands are going from a men’s and a women’s to a single collection and with the ‘see now, buy now’ strategy sales and distribution is affected heavily. Where do you see all this going and how do you position your brand within the changing system?
It takes a long time for someone to become authentic. In that sense, the ’see now, buy now’ system is a good thing. Maybe it improves distribution?
If you could give the younger you advice, what would that be?
Everything happens for a reason. It happens when you are ready. For good results we need time, and if you try to quicken something you will make it distanced instead. Just take your time, enjoy every moment of creating and learning. On that road you shouldn’t skip any steps.
Where do you see your brand in the future?
Authentic pieces containing a story and their country’s tradition, designed for the ones that have the courage to wear it at formal and exclusive occasions or every day.
You participated in last year’s Fashionclash Festival. What was this experience like for you and what benefits were you able to derive from it?
That was a truly wonderful experience. I’m glad I participated after years of experience and work in a more mature stage. I’m certain that nothing is impossible. That helped me to take my work more seriously and to be more self-confident after a long period of insecurity. After the Fashionclash Festival, increased cooperation possibilities and projects arose and I feel everything is going in the right direction.
What are your life goals, your biggest dreams and high hopes?
I learned not to talk too much about my goals and intentions, but I also learned to direct all of my energy and attention to achieve them. Without a doubt, all the things that happened on my creative way made me find myself and my own direction. I’m working on making myself persist in the job I love, I’m trying to bring my brand to the level of stability and sustainability. I would like to stay loyal to my work, with all pieces being handmade with a minimum use of machines. I would like to see my designs on the world’s biggest fashion runways.
Thank you.
