The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2024 - Issue 35

bitefashion Gasanova L ast year in November, fashion designer Elvira Gasanova celebrated her namesake ready-to-wear brand’s 10th anniversary. Initially, the team consisted of a skilled seamstress and her creating iconic vintage denim jack- ets. “When I first started designing a collection, I was nervous about being unable to design and sew independently, but then I realised my role is as much creative as it is practical,” she remarked. “The key is to assemble a talented team who under- stands my vision.” From a young age, Elvira demonstrated organisation skills and became an event organiser while studying dentistry at the Donetsk National University. Her interest in fashion arose after volunteering at the First Fashion Week in Donetsk. She presented her first fashion show in November 2013. However, the 2014 Russo-Ukrainian War forced Elvira and her family to leave their home first to Odesa and then the capital, where she continued building her business. During its first year, Ukrainians and international stars, in- cluding native models Snezhana Onopko and Alina Baikova, American model Gigi Hadid, socialite Paris Hilton, media personality Kourtney Kardashian and singer Toni Braxton fell in love with her designs. In an online interview, Elvira revealed to Zoe Magazine that her first design was a birthday dress she made with her creative mother. The designer admires native Cristina Lloyd admires Gasanova’s past and latest collections’ evolution from vintage denim jackets to elegant crystal gowns, sheer and glittery apparel, suits and coats. Poppies DESIGNER PROFILE