interview: marko mitanovski

Marko Mitanovski blows my mind! His work leaves me breathless. His fabric sculptures are simply superb. He is one to watch out for indeed…

BTT: Tell us a little about your aesthetic and work?

Historic costumes are my inspirational base. My work is recognisable for its sculpturality and theatrics in models, detailed construction and moderate geometry. However, being swept away by the sculpturality does not disfigure a woman’s shape, but quite the contrary, it reasonably emphasises and accentuates it.


How did you get started?


After my first graduation fashion show at Belgrade fashion week I did several Serbian editorials such as: GRAZIA(cover), ELLE, GALA magazine, FAAR magazine. My collection was one of the few chosen fashion shows from Belgrade Fashion Week to be broadcast on Fashion TV. On the next  Belgrade Fashion Week I exhibited together with 25 other eminent Serbian designers. In July 2009 I was invited to be one of the designers to present my costumes at Slovenian international fashion festival in Koper.

During this summer I was also invited to hold fashion show at Pacha club/Ibiza. Before that I did a campagn for the music album for Baby Marcelo-ex La Troya face. She wore my costumes also for some of her performances on the tour. People from Pacha club saw images with my costumes and campaign that I did and asked me to do a campagn for the Pacha club for the whole summer season 2009 and  to have a fashion show in July there.

I felt very honoured to be one of the chosen designers to take part at the “Ones to Watch” show at London Fashion Week, especially because it was an open application on the UK Vogue for young designers, from all over the world, where panel chose only four designers to take part.  Being part of the “Ones To Watch” and having a PR and Sales help that goes with it is a great platform for  young designer’s future career. I was already in London in March and April of this year . I was invited to have several shoots for the magazines:DAZED DIGITAL(VIDEO), DRAMA MAGAZINE(COVER), PONYTAIL, ISSUE ONE, NOISE MAGAZINE, PAGE, SUBLIME, QLIX MAGAZINE, VISION , SQM, AMELIA’S MAGAZINE, GLASS MAGAZINE, AGENT2MAGAZINE, SKETCHBOOK MAGAZINE, IDOL MAGAZINE, DELUXX DIGITAL MAGAZINE, Fashion156, VOGUE.COM

What is the inspiration for your  collection ?

I was inspired with the form of renaissance costumes, actually elements of renaissance costumes, which I toyed with. I over dimensioned them and transpired collars in several ways. I achieved volume by pleating eco leather, to honour the silhouette of the costume. Therefore, the collection does not include an integral version of the Elizabethan costume, but its replica of the basic theme. I tried to modernise it using S&M and punk elements. I also designed shoes and gloves for the show.

 What type of materials are you using?

For my Elizabethan inspired collars I used satin and eco leather. The silhouette of the costume is very important so I used wiring and boning for the corsets and skirts, and lots of beading to create and enhance shape and catch the light.
 
What inspires your work?

It is not so much of a“who” but “what” for me. . I observe the world around me and interpret it in my own way and try and communicate with it through my work. What I always find challenging is finding  that tread of inspiration that would lead me to interpret the historical piece in an contemporary way.

Who are your favorite designers?

I find very interesting work of new designers from London scene. 




What can we expect next?

At the moment I’m working on my new collectin for next LFW in February.
In few weeks u could expect new editorial for Q magazine with Lady Gaga wearing my costumes

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