with Tatuna Nikolaishvili
Known as a virtuoso of pattern cutting Tatuna Nikolaishvili designs are often treated as a work of art. Creating geometrical silhouettes accented with an array of layers and contrasting fabrics Georgian-born designer aims foremost for individuality. Her distinctive essence takes shape in a mix of pure aesthetic with a bit of oddness. MORE is LOVE is very pleased to pursue her creative course and find out the future plans for the brand.
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MORE is LOVE: How did your designer career begin? Tatuna: I was 15 years old when I started working at Maka Asatiani’s studio as a designer assistant. 2 years later I enrolled in Tbilisi State Academy of Arts to study Leather. Parallel to my studies I opened a little Atelier. At that time I was 17 years old, and this is when I started my career as a designer. |
MORE is LOVE: Describe your brand philosophy... Tatuna: I love creating Art. My clothes are not for everyday use and I do not want it to be for mass market. I have noticed that it is very important for my clienteles, that I make pieces exclusively for them. Regarding the brand, it grows rapidly and I love the dynamics of it.
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I am always trying to show my vision, therefore I focus on creativity rather than commerce. MORE is LOVE: What are your clienteles like? Tatuna: All of my clienteles are very different, but they all have one thing in common – boldness. MORE is LOVE: What is your favorite part about being a fashion designer? Tatuna: What I love the most is drawing and pattern making. MORE is LOVE: Who is you favorite designer? Tatuna: I have a lot of favorites, but at the moment it’s Rick Owens. |
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MORE is LOVE: What are you working on right now? Tatuna: For now, it’s a secret. I am getting ready for Paris. Very soon I m going to shoot my lookbook. I am just going to say, that for this collection I made jewelry pieces. Before, I did oversized wooden bracelets, but this time I mixed wood with silver. It’s something new and it’s going to be interesting. MORE is LOVE: Do you have a specific process of researching for a new collection? Tatuna: I do a lot of pencil drawings, paying much attantion to details. Then I look over all of my drawing, putting one piece to another, do some changes. Only then I choose what goes together and start cutting the patterns. MORE is LOVE: What is the special feature in you collections? Tatuna: I like dark colors. And I love making my collection in one color. However, I can’t say that I am not going to use colors for the next season. MORE is LOVE: What music are you playing in your studio? |
MORE is LOVE: Where do you seek your inspiration? Tatuna: I don’t normally look for it on purpose. For example, for my last collection ‘Books’ I got inspired at my friend's house, whilst fiddling with a book. Instantly I pictured silhouettes of my future collection. MORE is LOVE: You said your designs are art pieces, how do you balance creativity with commerce? Tatuna: Yes, certainly. If you remember my last collection 'Cosmos', it is very hard to wear. I am always trying to show my vision, therefore I focus on creativity rather than commerce. MORE is LOVE: What joyful moment of your career you can highlight? Tatuna: I was in Paris for Art Georgia, where I met Prince of Bahrain. Later he ordered a coat, which he wore to Fendi’s show. Every magazine said he wore a coat by a Georgian designer, it was very exciting. And recently I bought my own studio, which is one of the most overwhelming events in my career. I’m just setting it all up, and there is still a lot to do, but it feels great. |
My clothes are not for everyday use and I do not want it to be for mass market.
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Tatuna: I love classical music, especially Johann Sebastian Bach. I can easily say that his music gives me strength. MORE is LOVE: Describe your personal style... Tatuna: Modest and strange at the same time. I only wear clothes that I make. Tatuna Nikolaishvili’s designs are modest, but every piece has some kind of oddness to it, which makes it out of ordinary. MORE is LOVE: Where would you like to work? Tatuna: Tbilisi, for sure. I love living and working in Georgia with it's unique culture and atmosphere. |
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MORE is LOVE: What are your career goals and where do you see Tatuna Nikolaishvili in the future? Tatuna: I want my brand to keep growing and I want to see it in my favourite stores, for example Collete in Paris. |
LOVE is …"Life"
