INTERVIEW with Alina Nikolaenko - Russian born, Paris based fashion designer
Hello again :)
This week I would like to introduce to you, Russian born, Paris based womenswear and print designer, Alina.
She has studies in some of the most prestigious schools in Europe, and it was really interesting to hear some of her thoughts, I hope you will like it too.
Q: How would you describe yourself in one sentence?
A: Typical sagittarius.
Q: Favourite movie?
A: ‘The King’s Speech’
Q: Favourite song?
A: Pas de deux from 'The Nutcracker’ ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Q: Favourite museum?
A: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Q: What was the thing that has inspired you to go into fashion?
A: Actually there is no specific thing that inspired me to go into fashion. My interest came gradually, as well as the decision to study fashion.
I was on the first year of my bachelor in graphic design at Saint Petersburg State University, when I started to pay attention to what people on the streets were wearing. I started to draw them, combining their looks, adding details, etc. Two of my course mates saw me doing this and asked why wouldn’t I do fashion. It was the first time I considered changing my specialisation. Some time after I chose Central Saint Martins as a school I wanted to go to (because I fell in love with works of Alexander McQueen) and that’s when my fashion journey started.
Q: Famous person you would like to have a chat with? (dead or alive)
A: Karl Lagerfeld.
Q: Did your country or culture inspire your work?
A: Yes, but not all the time. I did some projects during my studies at CSM, but now I find them quite costume-like and not modern. I want to do a project based on Russia which will be as less ‘folk’ as possible.
Q: Where do you see women in fashion in the future?
A: I think, as right now, everywhere: as CEOs or creative directors, in studios, ateliers, in offices, shops and in the manufactories.
Q: Tell me a little bit about your last collection? What is the message behind it?
A: My last collection was a part of master's degree at Institut Français de la Mode, Paris. It is called ‘Hāfu’. This word means ‘half’ and is used in Japanese to refer to somebody who is biracial with half Japanese ethnic origin.
In my work I like to mix different sources of inspiration, usually related somehow to my personality, tastes or past. That is why in this collection I researched my dream country, Japan, London’s fashion during the Swinging Sixties (because I spent 4 years in this city) as well as street art and typography (reference to my graphic design past).
I think I can say that my clothes are telling stories about me, my experience, my feelings and dreams.
Q: What do you wish to change in the fashion industry?
A: I really want fashion to be more about creativity and less about finance. I don’t like when people do commercial brands just to earn money. Maybe it is coming from my British education, where idea and concept were on the first place, while wearability, cost of production and other pragmatic aspects of fashion were not really considered.
I don’t say that we have to forget about our customer, not at all, as I believe that fashion is design and not art. I just want to see more personality in clothes, which is coming from an idea from my point of view.
Q: Which brand would you like to work for/with?
A: Chanel and Alexander McQueen.
I always wanted to work in Chanel because I love and respect Karl Lagerfeld, and also I am fascinated by story and personality of Gabrielle Chanel. I like the elegance and purity of their designs.
Alexander McQueen for me is the brand of unlimited creativity and fantasy, where woman is not just a hanger, she turns into a beautiful and powerful creature.
Currently I work at Saint Laurent, that I would never expect. I really enjoy being in this place and absorbing the heritage of the brand together with its perception of the woman and view on her wardrobe.
Q: How do you see the fashion world changing in the future regarding sustainability?
A: I hope that one day sustainability will become an every-day part of fashion and will stop being a trendy, must-put into a description of a brand, word.
Q: How do you see the fashion industry changing after 2020?
A: I don’t think it’s going to change dramatically.
As my dad says, life goes on a spiral, so one day we will be back to normal.
Q: Goals for the next year?
A: Learn Chinese, finish new personal collection, get promoted at work, travel to Japan and also turn into life one idea I have since a long time — to start consulting/teaching fashion students in Russia. I want to share my experience and knowledges with people who cannot afford studying in London or Paris.
Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?
A: Spend less time with toxic people and use it for exploring something new.
I hope you enjoyed this interview, and stay tuned for more! :)
