An eye for fashion

  • 2009-10-08
  • Interview by Ella Karapetyan

Hanna Korsar is one of the leading fashion designers in Estonia. In today's fashion conscious generation, Hanna designs unique dress collections for women. Her dresses have exclusive designs and present a killer look. Her range of unique and elegant cocktail dresses are based on a combination of the finest fabric as well as the most elegant designs, which are perfect examples of fashion and style, and give an elegant and sophisticated look to the wearer. Hanna's eye-catching bridal dresses are designed with the utmost perfection and highlight the true feminine soul. She comes up with her own innovative ideas to create various dresses in different designs, colors and patterns.

Hanna's unique, individual and progressive style has consistently been awarded recognition in competitions and the press. She participated in the fashion show "Bridge of Fashion," in July, 2009 in Usedom, Germany, where she had a chance to exchange her professional experience with other participants of the show and to make new friends. She also participated in "Supernova 2009," in Estonia, coming in first place in the Professional category for Audience Favorite, receiving 100,000 kroons (6,410 euros) in prize money.

In 2007, she accepted the job as designer to one of Estonia's leading haut couture fashion houses, Tiina Talumees Moestuudio. She has worked as fashion editor in Joy magazine. Ella Karapetyan sat down with Hanna to discuss the finer elements of fashion and style.
 
What kind of materials do you usually use for making evening dresses?
Definitely, it's lace. This has been my favorite for a long time. I also prefer silk satin, silk taffeta and silk chiffon. For collections I like to use handmade textiles: dyed, knitted (Haapsalu scarf motif), embroidered, crocheted, silk, printed, etc. As I have studied textiles, I like to experiment with fabrics. For me it's really important that the textile itself has been "manipulated" by me.

How do you see the future of the fashion industry in Estonia?
Well, we have so many good artists. They just need managers. Before, we didn't have well trained managers, and designers are All-In-One (stylists-hairdressers-photographers-editors-make-up artists); it's so hard to grow and start your business outside Estonia.

Where do you get your inspiration?
 I get my inspiration mostly from high fashion shows, pret a porter.

How did you decide to work in the fashion industry?
I can say that I didn't decide myself to become a fashion designer, as my mother is a designer and now my brother is also in this industry, so I can say that we were all influenced by each other.

How long have you been working in fashion?
I can say that I have always been involved in this industry, from my early childhood, and during my school years I participated in some fashion shows. One of them was Supernova, I was in the youth category.

Do you have any atelier or studio where you work or receive your clients?
I don't have an atelier where I can work. I just have my own room at home where I spend my working hours. I think that it is more comfortable for me to work at home rather than renting a studio, as I have my time scheduled on my own. I consider that for every artist it is very important not to have any fixed working hours, but to work when you feel inspiration, and schedule your time as you wish. And, on the other hand, I don't want to waste my money on renting a studio.

What kind of clothes do you usually make?
I usually make very feminine clothes, for real girls and women, that is to say 'fairy-tale' type clothes. I generally make evening dresses as well as bridal ones. As for me, I am more specialized in this sphere, and I also make clothes for kids. I almost always try to use very expensive and high quality materials, as they make my dresses look really incredible. I also make evening dresses for children as their mothers usually want to look similar to their children.

Who is your favorite fashion designer?
I admire many designers but I can point out two of them: John Galliano and Alexander McQueen as my favorites, as their collections are very close to my heart and my style. Actually, John Galliano is one of the most influential fashion designers of our time, who has created some of the most spectacular fashion shows ever. John is fashion's great romantic. From his fantastic clothes, to his colorful background, his charmed rise to fame reads not unlike a fairy tale. His genius is his ability to communicate this through his clothes. I prefer Alexander McQueen's designs, as they have dramatic, gorgeously constructed pieces, combining elements of British tailoring with French couture.

Who, in general, are your models?
Generally my models are my friends, though I choose my models very scrupulously and I always try to work with the ones I know the best.

Do you have some famous or well-known clients?
Yes, I have very many famous clients who are well-known public faces, but I prefer them to tell about me rather than me to tell about them. I would like to keep their names hidden, secret. Mostly my clients are Estonian but I also have some Russians among my customers.

Have you ever worked with some of the world-known fashion designers?
From Estonian designers I can highlight working with Tiina Talumets, a very well-known fashion designer with whom I have had quite a long cooperation and gained much experience while working with her.

What colors do you prefer for your own clothes?
I can say that I prefer mostly dark colors, like black; my casual clothes are black, mostly. And, by the way, this year dark colors, especially black, are going to be the color of the latest fashion.

How is the fashion industry surviving this economic crisis?
Tailor made clothes are a luxury. And, of course, it's going to be difficult to survive, but still if you are making something long-lasting (now called "slow fashion") and timeless, like a pair of high heel stilettos that look fashionable every season, or paintings that suit both the modern or classical interior, you shouldn't worry about this crisis. We should think that we don't have enough money to buy inexpensive things.

What should be done to get over the crisis, in the fashion industry?
One should start thinking before buying.

What are your short-term goals?
I'm hoping to go on a holiday and rest. But before that I'm going to Riga Fashion Week, and then it's to Tallinn Fashion Week. And in the spring I hope to open my studio and soon, my online shop.

What is in fashion for the coming year?
Well, everyone should find their own favorite style and color palette. For me this season, it's violet or deep blue, and cashmere, plus silk and wool.