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The beautiful autumn of Gasper Urkevich
The collection of Gasper Urkevich drains inspiration directly from the book of Alicia Drake “The beautiful autumn”. The clothes are an echo of colorful compositions from Antonio Lopez and the Paris chic of the fashion muses Paloma Picasso, Lulu de la Falez, Pat Cleveland and Donna Jordan. The traditional official toilets are completely eliminated in order to be replaced by the comfortable dresses in which women feel equally well both during the night adventures and when they are looking for a bohemian feeling.
Intense lilac, zippers and huge knobs that are used only for decorative purposes, blouses, styled smocking, coats and silk scarves with applications are the main elements of the collection. The patterned pantyhose and gaiters complete the silhouette by reminding for the street culture that vastly presented in the photos and drawings of Antonio Lopez.
Shoes with high heels made of gold, purple and black participate in creating a fresh, modern definition of the shine of the Paris extravagance…
What does the fashion mean to you?
The fashion is my life because I work a lot. The fashion is expression of the human individuality and thanks to its means I try to help people express their own personality.
How did you make this collection?
The collection was done mainly based on the graphics from the American designer Antonio Lopez. We tried to work on the rebirth of the silhouette from the 70-s, but we gave also a new fresh look towards the fashion from this period. Before Antonio Lopez the couture-ists used to work on these ideas and after him – Karl Lagerfeld and Iv Cent Loran.
Do you use mainly only dark colors in your collections?
I use very intense lilac, black. I try to create a variety of materials in the male fashion, mainly official clothing, I work on the luxury of the materials.
The models need to be precisely tailored and done with real mastership. I work with silk that can be lilac, with prints etc. most of the materials are French and Italian, partly most of all natural and expensive textiles.
How many shops and boutiques do you have around the world?
The first shop that I opened is the one in which we are currently making the interview. I am attached to it also by many sentimental feelings. I have shops all over the world. Just recently I opened several in Korea, mainly for shoes, I also develop a whole multi brand which means that I have customers worldwide.
Do you want to open a shop in Bulgaria?
Of course, if such an opportunity reveals, why not!
What is your connection with Bulgaria?
I work with a Bulgarian who lives in Paris, he is artist and presents Bulgaria on the biennale for contemporary art in Venice.
Where your love towards art does comes from?
I grew up in an artistic family. My parents have had many friends who are artists, as well as a very rich library. All this has been around me and has stimulated one natural interest towards the art.
Whom your collection is directed to?
The whole collection is directed to my generation. I work for the people who have my spirituality, for those who travel, who are artistically oriented, like the things that reflect their individuality. I do not distinguish the day from the night. The apparel needs to be with you all the time. You may be dressed with one dress during the day and simply to change one accessory or the shoes in the evening. I lead a modern lifestyle and I work a lot, I meet many people and have business meetings and lunches, I go to coffee and in the evening I may have a love date. During the whole time I may not change my clothes. To me this is the way of dressing of my generation.
I suppose that before every review you are feverishly preparing yourself. How does your work day look like?
My day changes depending on the season. I start with a morning coffee, after then I go to fitness. The salon is very close to my office. Then I come in the office in 10 am and I start work. The show, for which the whole team worked, passed recently and immediately we start the preparation for the next one. Otherwise in the evening I work till 19-20 pm. I have a dinner also in the same timeframe.
Would you develop a fashion collection for a Bulgarian fashion company?
I have done collections for Korean firms, why not do so for Bulgarians too?
Will you wish something to the Bulgarian readers?
To all of the Bulgarian readers I wish lots of good luck!
April 2008
