A wedding dress is a dress I am always afraid of. I don't like designing it, it makes me so stressed. But if I had a chance to design a dress for someone from the past, it would probably be Marilyn Monroe. For many years I admired her style and acting, I read lots of her biographies, so it would be a pleasure to create her wedding dress. Marilyn loved gowns, embellished with crystals that were accentuating her curves and sexiness. But I would try to show her femininity in a different way, more romantic and less provocative.
RK : First of all thanks a lot for accepting our invitation for an interview. it’s a great pleasure to have you as our Guest. Let’s start from the first question… Let’s have a jump into the past. What was your dream since you were a kid? …what would you like to do?
Marta Kuchcinska : Thanks for inviting me for this interview, I am really happy to be your guest, it's a great pleasure to take part in your project. ...As a little girl and a teenager I wanted to be a famous painter. My sketches where everywhere in my house, I drew and painted on almost everything, all days. I have never thought of a career as a fashion designer, although sewing and designing often appeared in my life, because my grandfather was a sewer, my dad sewed.
RK : When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career as a designer?
Marta Kuchcinska : I started designing clothes just about four years ago. I was spending my days at home on maternity leave, taking care of the household, watching TV and thinking about my future. Then one day I saw an episode of one of the Columbian tv series where a girl sewed herself a dress out of a curtain and she inspired me. People say that life is not a movie, but my got changed by one.
RK : What is most challenging about a career in fashion design?
Marta Kuchcinska : To be a fashion designer you have to be creative and humble. Sometimes things don't go the way we like. People may not understand our vision or style, so we have to be stubborn, passionate and real in everything we do. We should follow our path no matter what issues we meet on our way.
RK : When starting a new collection, where do you begin?
Marta Kuchcinska : I usually start from looking for the fabrics and other necessary materials. I almost never do fashion sketches. Once I see a fabric an idea of a project or full collection comes to my mind.
RK : What’s the process when you design a new collection?
Marta Kuchcinska : As I said before, first I find suitable fabrics, sometimes I look for some inspiration, I put my vision on a fabric, cut it, pin, try on myself (I rarely use a mannequin) and sew. I do all the steps on my own, I am the constructor, designer and the sewer.
RK : How many drafts of a design might you go through before reaching a finished design?
Marta Kuchcinska : I am a lucky person, because when I am starting a new project I know exactly what I want. Sometimes I make small changes, but usually it looks the way I wanted it at the very beginning.
RK : What are your favourite materials/embellishments to work with?
Marta Kuchcinska : I love jacquard and thick fabrics, I also like working with lace. I love embellishing my projects with pearls, crystals and other stones. Handmade, haute couture projects are my favorite.
RK : If you could design a wedding dress for anyone (from history or a current figure), whom would you choose and how would you dress them?
Marta Kuchcinska : Oh good question. A wedding dress is a dress I am always afraid of. I don't like designing it, it makes me so stressed. But if I had a chance to design a dress for someone from the past, it would probably be Marilyn Monroe. For many years I admired her style and acting, I read lots of her biographies, so it would be a pleasure to create her wedding dress. Marilyn loved gowns, embellished with crystals that were accentuating her curves and sexiness. But I would try to show her femininity in a different way, more romantic and less provocative.
RK : What styles and trends do you think we’ll be seeing more of in coming seasons and years?
Marta Kuchcinska : Fashion changes style endures, that is one of my favourite fashion quotes. In fashion nowadays everything is possible. We can mix styles and trends, choose what is suitable for us. I love current trends, prints, logos, flounces and puffs, I hope that they are going to stay with us for longer but with the use of more eco friendly and sustainable fabrics. I hope that the fashion industry in coming years will care more about our environment.
RK : Your designs are very creative, where do you get the inspiration for your designs?
Marta Kuchcinska : I am always inspired by my surroundings, by nature, flowers, women, street style. I also often look for inspiration in the Internet and fashion runways.
RK : Out of all of your designs to date, what would you consider your personal favourite and why?
Marta Kuchcinska : I think it would probably be a couture floral dress that I made out of almost nine 9000 small pieces of fabrics that I recycled. It took me one month to create it.
RK : What are three pieces every woman should have in her wardrobe?
Marta Kuchcinska :.I think that every woman should have a pair of jeans, a white plain t-shirt and heels. This 3 pieces by adding different accessories or matching with other clothes can make many fantastic looks, depending on the occasion.
RK : Are you more intuitive or more analytical when you are designing?
Marta Kuchcinska : I always follow my intuition and my heart, I never analyze. I am aware that sometimes I should focus more on analytical part of designing, but it's just not my way.
RK : We (Retro Kolkata) are trying to build one single stage for all the artists, because we believe that artists are the most beautiful creation of God and geographical boundary can never break their unity and harmony. Please say something about our initiative and any special message for your followers.
Marta Kuchcinska : First of all, thank you again for the interview. I believe in what you do and I totally support it. I think that your initiative is really important and you do great work. ... My tips would be to never give up and follow your own dreams. And if you’re determined, no matter what ups and downs, one day you will succeed. Stay positive, passionate, do your best and believe in yourself.
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