The rising design star whose past is as eclectic as her covetable collections
WORDS BY AMELIA BELL
Her designs may have already caught your eye, but did you know that emerging fashion star Natasha Zinko is quite the polymath? The Ukranian-born, London-based designer is a trained lawyer turned jeweller, as well as a dexterous watercolour painter. And her eponymous label is a compilation of equally unusual bedfellows - bold tartan checks juxtaposed with sweet folkloric prints, tulle frocks and patent leather skirts - working in harmony to create something both feminine and free-spirited. And here are a few of the other fascinating things we learned when we sat down and got to know her a little better...
What was the inspiration behind your last collection?
Natasha Zinko: ‘The iconic film Pretty Woman portrays the innocence, romance, and the ‘CINDA*UCKING RELLA’ attitude - with cinched waists, masculine shoulders and a street chic attitude. The fabrications then evoke a sense of femininity with polka dot silk crepes juxtaposed with patent leathers and men’s wool suiting.’
Who are you style heroes?
‘Rei Kawakubo, Azzedine Alaïa and Princess Diana, as they are all fearless, brave and feminine.’
What’s your hidden talent?
‘Watercolour painting – although it’s not that much of a secret now. You’ll see native Ukrainian flowers featured throughout the SS18 collection that I showed at London Fashion Week.’
What’s been your biggest life lesson?
‘Failure. When I fail, I work harder to succeed.’
What’s your signature dish?
‘Apple Sharlotka – it’s a traditional Russian apple pie.’
Dream destination and why?
‘I would love to go back to Tokyo. I loved the futuristic feel of the city and their extraordinary attention to detail.’
If you could own only one piece from your collection on Farfetch, what would it be?
‘My Shearling Bunny reversible coat – I just love it!’
Finally, can you give us a hint on your next exciting project?
‘We have lots of exciting projects in the pipeline – currently I’m planning the AW18 show. We saw the venue yesterday which is super-cool, the collection is looking great and I have some surprises up my sleeve.. watch this space!’
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