We catch up with Nolcha Fashion week designer Kataya Leonovich  to find out more about her extravagant collection...

Tell me a bit about your background?

I was born into a family of journalists, poets, writers….but was drawing from the time I remember myself. My grandfather was buying me books about artists, and I dreamed to become a painter, like Van Gogh. But then I start drawing dresses and I invented some images that was unusual, different from what people were wearing, And thought I can give the new look for the women’s clothes. After I won the international competition in Milan, I understood that my style can give something new to the fashion world.

What is your current collection based on?

It’s a glamorous Collection. The idea was to make women look attractive and sexy, but not vulgar. I chose shiny fabrics and accessories, so it looked magical under the artificial lights during the party, in restaurants, in the concert or art gallery. I’ve painted some jackets, so it looks unique and artistic.
 
How did you initially become involved with Nolcha Fashion Week?

I was introduced to NOLCHA by the owner of the Launch Pad showroom where I exposed my winter collection. And then I met Kerry Bannigan and really liked the idea of the international project of NOLCHA and the new concept of the marketing the designer’s lines all over the world.

How has the response and feedback been so far with regards to
your show at Nolcha Fashion Week NYC?

I heard from the managers of Bergdorf Goodman store that they’ve already heard my name from the journalists that were at my fashion show at NOLCHA fashion week. I believe that NOLCHA will make it happen.

What would you say were your highlights at Nolcha Fashion Week?

The interviews for Terra TV and NOLCHA TV were really professionally done. I like that Photographers and journalists were very active during and after the show.

Who do you envisage wearing your designs?

My designs attract attention by the unusual and unique details and match of fabrics. The woman that wears it has to be extravagant and feminine at the same time.
 

What aspects of your job do you like and dislike?

I love to design and I love to work with people that produce my garments. I don’t like to deal with business people that think only of the profit and don’t respect the huge amount of work and creativity that you put in the collection.

Which fabrics do you enjoy working with?

I love silk satin and silk jersey. Love transparent and stretch fabrics. I love Italian gorgeous colors that inspire me in my paintings.

If you weren't a designer what would you have been doing?

I will strictly be a painter.

What 3 words best describe your collection?

movement, construction, contrast

What future plans do you have for your label?

I want to have boutiques all over the world. I would like to make my own architecture for those boutiques.

What advice can you give to anybody looking to start their own label?

To be patient and stubborn. And never change the style you feel like doing. Market should look after you, but you shouldn’t try to please the market, because you can loose your personality. And you can believe or not, when I was trying to be commercial I never sell, but the pieces that I was doing with complete freedom became my bestsellers.

Where can one buy your pieces from?

Now my collection is located in my design studio in Broadway and 28 Street. It’s still to be produced for the boutiques of New York after the orders.
So, will be available in February 2008. Where? We’ll see….

End

For more information please visit www.katyaleonovich.com