05.27.2013

It’s funny explore yourself with questions others do

http://alyshakostamomao.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/heroes-project/

Interview by

What caused you to enter the fashion industry?

I chose to study fashion because I think it is the greatest motor of communication. Fashion is everywhere, and I just dreamed to communicate something. When I was 13, I watched a Vivienne Westwood fashion show for the first time on TV. She portrayed femininity with her styles, matching music and theatrical gesture with a seductive provocation. In that moment, I felt one day I would love to do something for this great designer. I was pretentious, but then it happened. It was an incredible challenge for my life.

How has working with Vivienne Westwood influenced your views on fashion?

Probably I would have never entered into fashion if she didn’t exist. Working with her gave me the opportunity to understand that we can be proud of our work as fashion designers. She taught me to follow what I want to express without the necessity to be influenced by rules of the market.

Where do you find inspiration?

Everywhere! But mostly from ancient costumes rather than modern magazines, visiting museums, seeing paintings, sculptures and old books. Music is the most important part in my process of creation. If I had to choose only a few things to take with me to an island, I’d choose that, some canvas to drape and a mannequin.

Who is your label directed towards?

I think my lingerie is for women that love to be women. I admit it’s not easy to wear Ikonostas. It’s for women that love sartorial details and that can be ironic towards their role of women in this world, impertinent women.

Do you believe fashion is more about the clothes, or the people who wear it?

Clothes can help you to portray a different role, but people with a great self-assurance can wear a sack and be beautiful. I remember a woman I saw in a club in Soho some years ago. She breezed in the club completely naked, just with a pochette, high heels, and a lovable chignon. She was so elegant in her posture that she looked like she was dressed in a tailored suit.

What is the concept behind your collaborative collection OTTO OTTAGONI? Is there a reason to the octagonal designs?

When Ivan Pavlov contacted me to ask me if I was interested in creating a visual image in terms of clothing for Soisong’s new album presentation at the London Design Festival, I tried to create something that respects the minimalism and avant-garde concept of their music. Soisong created an octagonal CD and packaging for their albums. Their track AEIVAA II is a universal religious chant written for people of all cultures and nations. I translated all of this information into a unique shape for the basic pattern, an octagon, which is not only the trademark shape of Soisong, but also a symbol of renewal. Also, the decision to make the clothing both unisex and black and white was meant to make a clear statement of unity.

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to enter the fashion industry?

Be ready to work hard. Preserve your self-worth, always. The fashion field is full of fleecers but be humble at the same time. There is always something to learn in fashion just like in ordinary life. And, if you are demoralized, remember who you are, your story, and if you really want something. If you are following a dream, go on, and keep in mind all the sacrifice you made to go in that direction.