Fatima Lopes

We met Fatima Lopes at the original party of Jan Luk Amsler. Even from our first gathering we mutually appealed to each other. Energetic and vital, she was literally just overflowing and radiating positive emotions.  Fatima was eager to tell me about her last prêt-a-porte, introduced during the Fashion week in Paris. She was also excited about her forthcoming holiday.
Already 10 years now Fatima Lopes is successfully presenting her collections in Paris. Definitely she is the most famous Portuguese designer.

Fatima, warm congratulations and applause for your show. Reveal something more about it especially for the Bulgarian readers?
Since the first days of the French Fashion week I and my team managed to do a big show, magnificent one. It was a futurism show for a futurism collection, ideas and clothes.
Are you always so futurism focused?
This is my 19th show fiesta, I participate on the Fashion week already 10 years now; so providing our constant presence there, every time I try to be different, to do something really unique. Each time I aim to be better than the previous one. The fashion is my life and my biggest passion. Whatever I do, I do it with love. Definitely the best time to be in Paris is during the Fashion week. Currently Paris is the capital of the world fashion, because this is the gathering point of designers from all over the world, who want to be a part of the Paris fashion week. Moreover, I am extremely happy to be a “piece” of this colorful “puzzle” too. This is a “window” towards the whole world, I am a part of it and I hope that I will continue to be in the future.
 

In what colors will be “painted” the next winter?I use the climax between the contrast colors – white and black, silver, gray. In order to achieve a great color show, I try to add other colors and shades too. Of course, in the end the show is stylish, posh and mainly graphical. This is one extremely exquisite and chic collection.
Your outfit now – is this the last “scream” of fashion?
Yes, this is a part of the collection Winter 2009.
Are you the best model for your collections?
Always when I create a certain dress, I am the first model, because I make up all my designs, based on my body. I myself am the first model of my collection. I have many favorite models, there are a lot of talented mannequins from Eastern Europe and it is always a pleasure for me to work with them.
Do you have a lot of friends amongst the famous designers?
Jan Luk is a very good friend of mine. I really like him, extremely pleasant and kind man. My show already passed, so practically I am on o vacation now. This is the time to relax and enjoy myself. I really like being amongst my colleagues and having fun together. 
What lays in the base of your relation with Jan Luk Amsler?
Together we own a PR agency, that organizes our shows. Mark, the chief of the agency, is my personal PR and advisor from 10 years. He is also a godfather at my wedding.
What exactly does your name mean?
This is a catholic name, it is in fact my real name and not an artistic pseudonym. It originates from Arabian language, it is a historical name and it means a “warrior”. The name Fatima has a long history. It is also pronounced easily on all languages. So I decided my name can successfully become my trade mark as well.
What should a PR specialist be able to do in PARIS?
Here you can hire and have a great number of PRs. However, what matters is to understand the fashion, to love it and to know exactly how to deal with all the designers and other people, working in this field. It is of primary importance that the designers and the PR are good team workers, because the PRs are the people who make the collection a public one and introduce it to everyone’s attention. They make it legitimate. The only think I am responsible for doing is the collection itself and the rest is connected to the PR duties and obligations. It requires a wide range of competences from them.
What is the meaning of love for Fatima Lopes?
I am a married woman and my husband lives in Portuguese, while I am almost all the time in France. Therefore I have divided myself and my time in two: one part is devoted to the work and the other one – to him. My husband is not in the fashion circles, he is a businessman. My personal life and he are very important to me. He has his own job and I have mine. To me my professional and social life is as essential as the personal. I will never be only a married woman, because I am a professional and this is what I live for. My career takes a major part of my life. 
 Every summer I organize a “Fashion fiesta Albena” at the Bulgarian seaside. You are a very popular designer in our country, so I would like to invite you to be my guest at 17th June, in case you have a chance to.
O, of course, why not?! I should check up my schedule to see if I have any fashion events appointed in Portuguese and if not, I can visit you. I am not certain though, because the European soccer championship will take place in June as well, and I am designing the sport outfit of our whole national soccer team.
What would you wish to the Bulgarian readers?
I would like to wish to all Bulgarians all the best and lots of love!

The interview took Mrs. Mariana Arsheva