Photos: Dina Lynnyk
Recently, we have been admiring a new design label “It’s me” and there are three words to say: CHECK IT OUT! A young Ukrainian designer Dina Lynnyk is full of ideas for the future fashion. Her clothes look so simple, but there is always a fun twist, that sends the best vibes. Dina is also a digital collage artist. To some the spooky style may look frightening, but it’s impossible to turn your eyes away. Without further ado, the interview with Dina!
Tell us a little bit about you as a designer. When did you realize that you want to be involved in the fashion industry?
Well, I guess, I’ve started considering myself as a designer when I was a kid. I used to spend a lot of time at my mom’s atelier where she was working on beautiful pieces for her clients. I was drawing red lips for every model in fashion magazines and digging in my mom’s fabrics all the time. That was the first time I’ve realized that I want to become a designer.
Most exciting thing about being a fashion designer.
For me, personally, the most exciting thing is what this whole industry is all about: the creative process! I am obsessed with it. It makes me feel complete and it brings sense to my life.
Do you see Ukrainian roots in your design? In general, does one’s nationality or cultural background influence one’s work?
As a person, I am a cosmopolitan and I’ve chosen to approach my work in the same way. I genuinely care about the origins of the Universe. Where did we come from? How did we become who we are? I mean… Isn’t it fascinating?! That’s what bothers me. I do belong to Ukrainians and I’m proud to be one of them, but sticking to something specifically traditional seems to me quite boring.
How does current situation in Ukraine affect your work?
After all this terrible things that took place in Kiev every Ukrainian got even more proud of their country. I’m not an exception. The effect that this period had on my work will be seen in my new collection.
How do you see Ukrainian fashion in Europe?
It’s a question of time. We have many representatives of «fresh blood», new talents who are much needed by the industry. For sure, one day we will see Ukrainian designers shows during Paris and London Fashion Weeks.
You seem to love a mix of collages and fashion design in your work, which presence is very expressive in your previous works such as “Creepy Kids”. Could you explain where this passion comes from and why you need it in your work?
We didn’t have a chance to get the clothes for the shooting, so I did my best kind of “dressing up” the model in Photoshop. The decision to use clothes from well-known brands was based on the great desire to get as much attention as possible to promote project. We thought of it as a great chance to show that it’s possible to combine clothes of Ukrainian designers together with clothes of well-known designers and create fabulous looks!
What are your current projects? Working, as a designer at It’s me label must be an amazing experience!
It’s me is a brand I launched 3 years ago. Until this day I am trying to develop this project on my own, but my friends help me a lot! To be honest it’s more difficult than exiting to launch and run your own brand without having any strong financial support.
Today I’m working on one secret project and capsule collection for FW 14/15 season.
Could you talk about people you work there with? How do you come up with new ideas?
I work with freelancers: a tailor, a constructor, a manager and myself. Today these people are members of my team. We’ve met with Dariia Mingaraieva, who is my brand manager now and she was the one who offered me her help. This brought system to my work; it seems that everything has its own order now. I appreciate her presence in my life a lot. She has been very helpful.
What does fashion mean? Do everyday women and men need to be fashionable or is it just an idyllic picture of designers?
I think that when men or women care a lot about the way they look like, they are not fashionable enough. There are a lot of things I value more than this fashion fuss. Such as decency, kindness, dedication… For me it’s just the work I do, I won’t go crazy or lose my consciousness like “Oh, Gosh!” if I see someone dressed tasteless. Strangely dressed people seem a lot more attractive to me than well-dressed ones. Unusual combinations could be a great source of inspiration.
Is fashion for everyone?
I’ve never thought about this. I don’t think majority of people need it at all. We all are different and we choose different ways of fulfilling our lives. Anyway, it’s just clothes. They bring more diversity into our lives, not more.
Where should fashion world focus on these days? Would you like to change something in how ordinary people see fashion?
I don’t like illusions that fashion creates. The illusions of happiness, beauty, endless fun, the feeling of being careless, the eternal feast… I doubt that people would be so obsessed with fashion world without all this stuff. Fashion wouldn’t exist without it, that’s the essence of fashion – to sell emotions.
Do fashion weeks change the perception of how you understand fashion and design?
In my opinion, the designer needs to look around constantly and screen all the information he gets through himself. I don’t get it when someone is simply trying to copy trends. I feel like you should make an effort and try to create something special, essentially yours, which could become a new trend.
Is there any field in fashion that you would like to try? Why?
Yes! I love being involved in styling process. I love creating concepts and a real small world, where a model lives during shooting. On the other hand, I love creating window displays, especially when I have enough freedom in a creative process.
Do you have plans for the near future?
Continue self-development in design and art. I’d love to do new projects combining both sides of my interests.
