Lara Klawikowski
SOL sat down to chat with Cape Town based Fashion designer Lara Klawikowski, whose brand under the eponymous name, offers structural works of art that can only take one on a journey of pure visual delight.
The talented Lara spoke to us about her journey into the Fashion world, her philosophy behind wearable Art and how one of her bespoke dresses can sum her up.
You can follow the elegant world of LARA KLAWIKOWSKI @lara_klawikowski and view the full collections on the official website here
Did you always know you would end up in the Fashion industry?
I’ve been in love with the idea of being a fashion designer since I was a child and I’ve always loved draping and pinning clothes on myself to create something new and different from what everyone else was wearing. I studied fashion design ‘to take a break’ and take time to decide what I really wanted to do for a career. It definitely wasn’t a break - fashion design is one of the most difficult things you can do. It’s creatively, intellectually, personally and emotionally challenging but learning how to design and make clothes properly made me love fashion even more and I haven’t changed lanes.
Has creativity always been a part of your life?
Yes, my parents let my sisters and I to do all kinds of arts and crafts as children - drawing and painting in all sort of mediums, ceramics, knitting, embroidery, beading. Strangely enough, not sewing. I only learnt to sew as a student. We also did ballet when we were little and I still remember the costumes and storylines. The magic, imagination and creativity of dressing up and being part of a story, was sparked early in my life.
One of your earliest memories that hugely impacted you and pushed you to your vocation?
I remember seeing a fashion show on the news on TV when I was little – it was coverage of a fashion week overseas in the ‘90s. I loved the clothes and everyone looked so happy. I asked my mom what they were doing and she told me a fashion designer was showcasing his new collection, and from then, being a ‘fashion designer’ became my dream.
As a Fashion Designer and Illustrator, Aesthetics play a vital role- what does it mean to you on both a professional and personal level?
Professionally, I need to create something that someone else finds appealing as they will be wearing it, but personally, I use my own taste as the over-ruling guide. I find when I design from this point of view, even when I feel I’m taking a risk, if I’m pushing something too far, if it seems too strange but I still like it, then the design results in something stronger and often appeals to more people than I imagined. I’ve learnt to trust in the risks I take.
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You talk about Wearable Art- how do you envision the relationship between Art and Fashion?
I call my designs wearable art because most of the fabrics I use for clothes are created from unusual materials or re-fabricated to form pieces of new, tactile materials that are almost impossible to replicate precisely. These pieces of material could be sold as pieces of art as they are, but I cut clothes patterns and create garments from them. My spontaneous and organic approach to draping and assembling garments makes my designs artisanal and artistic in aesthetic but the construction is carefully considered and the finishing of the garments is meticulous, so my work falls into the category of design. And you can wear it, so it’s functional. My designs could be called couture pieces but the set-up of my studio doesn’t fall under the strict criteria of a couture fashion house – even though one person may finish one of my garments from start to end by hand, I don’t meet the other rules on the list, like showcasing at Paris Fashion Week seasonally.
Who is the ideal Lara Klawikowski woman?
The ideal LARA KLAWIKOWSKI woman is someone who is intrigued by unusual details in garments and thought-provoking design. She appreciates creativity and new interpretations of beauty. She's curious about what she wears and what makes a design special and different. She wears clothes that resonate with her personally.
Take us through your creative process when coming up a new collection?
It starts with fabric. I’m most inspired by how fabric can be manipulated structurally to form new proportions and silhouettes. When I’m designing a new collection I begin by creating a new texture, and draping and pinning the pieces of new material on a mannequin. Often, even seeing a small piece of new fabric haphazardly pinned on the mannequin inspires a string of designs. I sketch roughly while I’m figuring out a new collection but physically manoeuvring fabric around helps me to visualise new ideas best.
What inspires you on a daily basis and where do you go to find it?
Creating new textures at my studio and working out how to apply them in garments inspires me endlessly. I like to create and use fabric that is unique and used for my designs only.
Being outside – going for a walk / run every morning in my neighbourhood and being in nature - the details are showing up in my work.
Seeing what other local artists exhibit at galleries and what materials and textures they’re creating.
How do you envision the role of the Creative Director in years to come? And in particular within small fashion labels?
I think creative direction will become less about one person’s singular vision and more about connecting with different creatives and working together for a refreshing collaborative outcome. Small fashion labels are sometimes limited financially so an exchange of skills and ideas with other creatives in mutually beneficial collaborations works.
Do you believe in creative collaboration and if so are there any creatives you would like to collaborate with in the future?
Yes, creative collaboration opens your mind to different perspectives and new directions. I’d love to collaborate with more stylists and photographers. The same item of clothing can tell a thousand fashion stories and seeing how each creative interprets my designs is inspiring. I’d love to collaborate with textile artists and design clothes from unique materials they’ve created.
What do you make of the current Fashion scene in South Africa?
There are more new brands than ever in South Africa but there is too much of the same style repeated. You cannot tell one brand from the next. I think the industry would be stronger if creatives with a similar aesthetic joined together to form one brand.
What have been some of your professional highlights thus far?
Showcasing at local fashion weeks, having my work featured in magazines, seeing people wear my designs.
How do you envision LARA KLAWIKOWSKI in years to come?
The brand is becoming more and more bespoke. Made-to-measure items seem to be the only sustainable move forward in countering the global over-saturation of ready-to-wear, mass-produced fashion that nobody really needs.
Where can one keep up to date with LARA KLAWIKOWSKI?
Instragram @lara__klawikowski
Facebook facebook.com/LARAKLAWIKOWSKIdesign
Twitter @laraklawikowski
Are there any exciting new projects for LK on the horizon that you would like to mention?
I’m working on a new collection of wearable art / bridal designs made from recycled and re-fabricated materials. The bespoke wedding dresses are unusual, unconventional and a fresh perspective on traditional bridal wear.
Finally if you could be summed up in one of your pieces- which one would it be and why?
One of my bespoke dresses made from re-fabricated materials. They’re one-of-kind, thought-provoking, imaginative, and meticulously designed and constructed.