COLLECTION| Natasha Zinko SS14

Central Saint Martins graduate, Natasha Zinko exhibited her SS14 collection in the Vestibule at Freemasons Hall. Whilst flutes of champagne and handmade chocolate hearts floated around, the space was packed with excited guests, eager to see Natasha’s work.

Taking inspiration from the Campanula flower, more commonly known as the Bell flower which is commonly found in Natasha’s native Russia; Natasha strives to transport her spectators to another world. A world set in a different time, a time of innocence and playfulness. Fusing her love of 18^th century fashion and the structural aspects of the bell flower, Zinko has created a distinctive silhouette which emphasizes the female form in an awfully seductive matter.

The designs in her collection are fabricated using anything from neoprene, to organza to French lace; in floral inspired hues – lilac, egg shell blue, ochre, salmon and French grey. Structured panels and feminine layers created opulent glamour and each look was accessorised with a stylized hat and a piece of Natasha Zinko’s trademark jewellery.

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Written by Brooke McCord, Fashion Scout Contributor. Follow me on Twitter @BrookeMcCord

Photography by Benjamin Turgel, @BenjaminTurgel

BACKSTAGE| Natasha Zinko SS14

Up to three stylists work on one model creating a classic look of red lips, dark eyes and a strong brow, working quickly in the busy backstage room. Soft smoked eyelids contrast with bright red lips where the models give off an femme fatale attitude. Hair is teased using Label M products for a style that is effortlessly textured giving hints at the collection to come.

Designer Natasha Zinko who exhibited last season with Fashion Scout as part of Kiev Fashion Days arrives backstage, discussing with the session stylists and make-up artist, it’s clear to see the passion that Zinko has for her work.

Speaking to Natasha Zinko as she buzzes around the room she says,

“This is my second time, I was exhibiting last season and this is a new collection so I’m really excited! I think it’s even more feminine using a pale palette, and pale colours, I’m excited for you to see. For me, it’s very feminine I don’t want to give too much away!”

The backstage team prepare an oversized birdcage in the presentation room adorning it with flowers and ribbons; everyone is excited to see what this designer has planned for her Spring/Summer ’14 collection.

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By Vanessa Omoregie, @wewearblack

Photography by Tracy Asslanian, @TracyAsslanian

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT SS14| Natasha Zinko

Last season, Natasha Zinko hit Kiev Fashion Days with her inaugural avian inspired womenswear collection. The multi talented Russian designer began her education with a foundation degree at the prestigious Chelsea College of Art and Design where she discovered a passion for sculpture on a small scale. From there she went straight into the Jewellery Design course at Central Saint Martins and has been making waves in the industry ever since. With her first boutique already open to the world on Maddox Street in Mayfair, Zinko will be showcasing her succeeding collection this September once more with Fashion Scout.

A regular visitor to the V&A museum, last season her collection was a collation of feminine, highly structured gowns inspired by the wings of birds. Preview the SS14 Natasha Zinko collection on the runway at 3:30PM, Day 4 at Fashion Scout.

Madeleine Ayers, Contributor. Follow her on Twitter: @MadeleineAyers  

INTERVIEW| Kiev Fashion Days: Natasha Zinko FEB'13

Part of the Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days, Natasha Zinko graduated from Central Saint Martins. From Ukraine but based in London, the designer showcases a collection of bird inspired pieces and soft colours at the Kiev Fashion Days exhibition which will be open until 6pm today. She speaks with us about her collection and her first time showcasing at Fashion Scout.

What was your starting point with this collection?

The collection is about birds that are now extinct, about the Pterosaurs that were like reptilian birds, I think they were cool. So I’m trying to create the layering of their skin, but still keeping it very feminine. These birds didn’t eat meat; they were more like nice and quaint. There’s a combination of layering and mixing fabrics, that’s why it’s so pale it’s all very bright. I wanted something surreal, like this bird that maybe never existed.

How did you find a balance and combination with all the materials you used?

It’s a combination of different things. With the lace, it’s about layering so I was experimenting with different ways I can do this; so recreating wings and images with embroidery.

The colours are really fresh, how did you choose the palette for this collection?

It’s a winter collection but I didn’t want to make it too dark. Usually I use a lot of black, but this time I wanted to make it very soft and romantic like those birds that do not exist anymore. Like one of them! I am the bird! I want the woman to feel like she is something different, out of this world.

The collection is made up of different pieces, do you mostly design dresses?

Yes, mostly dresses. This time, I did jeans which I actually made three years ago but because I liked the lace material that looked good when we shot the look book, they were great because they made the model look like a bird.

Is that something you think about when you’re designing, do you like to create whole looks?

I can see the whole image; I don’t see it just in pieces. I like styling. I’m actually a jewellery designer too.

How is London for you as an international designer, how is it working in London?

It’s good! It’s definitely more progressive. I really like to be here. Fashion Scout has been interesting, this is my first time here, I would love to show here again.

Interview by Vanessa Omoregie (@wewearblack)

Images by Max Barnett (@MaxBarnettPhoto)

PREVIEW| Kiev Fashion Days Designers

Taking place at Fashion Scout today for the first time, Kiev Fashion Days. We are thrilled to showcase nine Kiev Fashion Days designers at Fashion Scout London allowing us to cement our global talent rebrand through providing them with a UK platform. Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion Days is the only international fashion event in Ukraine, it represents a new generation of designers and acts as a strong platform for their development and growth as designers.

Taking place in the Kiev Fashion Days catwalk showcase: 

Anna Kolomoets 

Paskal 

Yasya Minochkina 

Anna October 

Whilst joining them at the Kiev Fashion Days exhibition:

Ksenia Schnaider 

Natasha Zinko 

Sasha Kanevski 
Mariia Bekh 

Zinaida Lihacheva 

The Kiev Fashion Days exhibition takes place today, Sunday 17th February at 12pm whilst the exhibition runs from 10am to 6pm on Monday 18th February.