Interview with the designer Iryna Karavay of the brand Karavay.

The designer Iryna Karavay

Karavay’s Studio

When and how you decided that you wanted to be a designer?

Since childhood I was fascinated by the world of arts.  I was lucky to have my mother’s full support when I chose to do fashion designing for a living. Back then I was open to any type of creation, so it was difficult to decide on which specific professional direction to follow.

It was your dream job?

Strangely enough at the beginning it was the social aspect of the fashion world which interested me the most. It was easy to fall into that direction; it seems an awesome and fabulous life for any young woman. But soon enough naïve fascination gave way to professional interest and understanding for creative clothing.

Which is the first thing you designed and for who (yourself,a friend…)?

I received a lot of practical experience while studying in the academy – but for whom? At that time future potential customers seemed like abstract characters. Nevertheless, the collection I designed for my diploma was purchased by real people: by friends, and friends of friends. It was a totally new experience.

Who’s the designer you admire the most and why?

I very much admire Nicholas Ghesquiere for what he does for LV, Phoede Philo (I also appreciate Celine and will definitely wear it only if I don’t have my own brand), and M Prada – they have always been my number one.

Who’s your muse, your icon, when you create a dress?

Every collection is different. It could be Duchess Vinzdorskaya (Wallis Simpson), our new first lady, Snow Queen, or Princess Lea. Men, such as David Bowie are also inspiring. But I consider it very important to have my own inspiration, to listen to my own internal voice.

If you had to design an entire collection using just one color, which is the one you’d pick and why?

We also designed a white collection. Being completely white, it’s dedicated to the concept of light. Our country has gone through some very difficult times. Therefore the white color has a symbolic value. In other contexts monochrome versions do not interest me.

Who’s the first person you show your sketches to?

Nowadays, I very much appreciate working in a team. We are not a big team – just a stylist and me. I often share with her my ideas, with some frequent teasing 🙂

The fabric you love the most…silk, lace, velvet and why?

I actually prefer to work with a variety of fabrics. The most important thing is to be flexible in order to adapt to specific situations.

Do you have any trick to avoid that “blank page” moment when you’re at the beginning of the designing of a new collection? Do you watch a movie, flip an old magazine…

I have a large number of topics to work on. And at the same time I need to come back to many projects which were already done. So, to the contrary, I need restrictions 🙂

If you weren’t a designer which job in the fashion world you would like to do and why?

Only muse.