The Bite Magazine - Spring Summer 2013

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and to have a brand that is recognised in
London and throughout Europe. I would
like to continue to come to Fashion Scout
and maybe appear on the main schedule at
Somerset House in the future.”
Twenty-three-year old architecture
graduate,Yulia Paskal drew inspiration from
her background in designing buildings and
launched her womenswear brand in 2010.
Smiling modestly, looking down at her
shoes Yulia admits, “I have always been
interested in fashion, even as a child. I
liked architecture but fashion is more
suited to me.”
Passionate about her homeland,Yulia
studied at Kiev National University of
Construction and Architecture and
now produces all her collections from
her workshop in Ukraine. With an
eye for structure, Yulia draws from
her magnificent surroundings in
Kiev in the sculptures and cuts of
her pieces.
This was evident in the laser-cut
geometric shapes featured on the
metallic pieces in Paskal’s collection.
With a wide range of inspirations from
retro films and classical music to postmodern
nineties rave culture and personal reflections
on everyday life;Yulia’s collection embraces
many current trends. Mixing a variety of
techniques from traditional needlework to
advanced technologies, Paskal’s collection
caters to several tastes with a contrast
between traditional silhouettes and metallics
to create something incredibly futuristic yet
relatable.
Noting the difference in style between
London and Kiev, Yulia says, “Kiev fashion
is developing, it is still very young. London
fashion is so interesting and a little bit
cheeky.” Mesmerised by the collections
on display in London, Paskal hopes her
versatile designs will find success in
other fashion capitals: “I would like to
be an established designer and would
love to show my collections at all the
other big fashion weeks in New York, Milan
and Paris.”
Anna October brought the show to
a monumental close with her timeless
collection titled ‘Present’. Educated at
the College of Technology and Design in
Zaporozhye and an Art School named after
M.B Grekov in Odessa, Anna launched her
debut collection called ‘Resort’ in 2010 at
just nineteen years old.The young designer’s
marrying of modern cutting and precision
tailoring with timeless silhouettes has
caught the attention of press and buyers
internationally with Marie Claire US naming
October one of Eastern Europe’s most
promising fashion designers.
October used the classic fifties silhouette
as a basis for her elegant and sophisticated
collection for AW13 which teamed chic
black coats and dresses with metallics and
tinsel fringe detail.Dynamic and professional,
speaking in her second language confidently,
Anna tells me about her collection: “The
title of the collection is ‘Present’, meaning
both present as a gift and the present
time. It is inspired by the tradition of
giving presents and the clichés of post-
Soviet Russia. I translated this through the
choice of fabrics and silhouettes and by
the modern use of the colour gold.” This
was indeed evident in October’s use of
pink and gold tinsel detail, which added a
glamorous and contemporary feel to her
feminine, figure hugging dresses.
Fulfilling all the requirements of a
perfect dress, October left the audience
in awe with her collection, which was
all anyone talked about as the press
and buyers were herded out the show.
With stockers in Kiev, Odessa, Kuwait,
Antwerp and Paris, October already
has a strong footing in Europe.
Following her London debut,
the designer is sure to catch the
attention of those in other areas
of the globe. With a strong drive,
October hopes her appearance at
Fashion Scout will set her on the right
path, “This is my first time in London but
the industry here is fantastic and very
professional.We have to go much further in
Ukraine to gain recognition because there
is no industry and support there, which
is why the Kiev Fashion Days initiative is
amazing. I love my country but I see my
future internationally.”
With support systems such as Fashion
Scout and Mercedes Benz Kiev Fashion
Days, designers from all corners of the
globe should soon get the support available
to succeed in a traditionally western
industry. In an increasingly international
industry, events in countries such as
Ukraine could become the next hot
spots for spotting emerging talent.
Following the success of the
partnership between the two
platforms, it was announced on
March 19th that Kiev Fashion Days and
Fashion Scout will continue to collaborate
with the introduction of a Fashion Scout
showcase to the Mercedes Benz Kiev
Fashion Week programme. Fashion Scout
director and co-founder Martyn Roberts
commented:“I am thrilled with the further
expansion of Fashion Scout and the
continued partnership with Kiev Fashion
Days through Fashion Scout Kiev.Through
exhibiting key emerging Ukrainian talent
at our Fashion Scout London platform, we
provided them with the global audience
and recognition they deserve.”
For the young Ukrainian designers
involved in the initiative this is only the
beginning and the Bite team believe no
doubt that there will be much more to
come from them; with that we toss back
a shot of vodka and hail to the post-Soviet
fashion invasion.
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