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The British Council has recruited high-flying mid-career fashion designers who have creative mind and bright imagination, were interested in cultural heritage and incorporation of national traditions in fashion design, and were open to cross-cultural cooperation and collaborative work.
The British Council office and the Armenian Fashion Council had received 19 applications from very skilful and talented designers. The selection process was very difficult because each designer presented a unique approach and experience in his or her work. The sources of inspiration of the designers were very diverse, from stones and architecture to music, paintings and just words giving birth to very imaginary and innovative works of art. After a long and difficult decision process, ten designers have been selected to be the “ambassadors” of art and culture.
Lusine has studied many aspects of the fashion industry, from fashion history to fashion trends and fashion business. She is an independent designer and a member of the Union of Designers of Armenia. For many years she has successfully participated in the Silhouette fashion event held in Russia, and holds a certificate of participation in Pret-a-Porter Yerevan. Lusine has worked as a costume designer with Iconoclass, a French-Armenian organization, and travelled to many countries seeking creative inspiration. She has participated in international interior design initiatives, studying room decor in France, wall painting in Germany, and historic castle reconstruction in Italy. Lusine graduated from the Yerevan State Academy of Fine Arts in 2007 and holds a Master’s degree in Applied Arts Design.
Geannine was raised in Rio de Janeiro, and was always fascinated by the stark contrast of wild nature colliding with the urban landscape there. After studying architecture and design in Brazil, Geannine moved to London to study at the University of East London. Soon after graduation she worked at the ateliers of Alexander McQueen and Giles Deacon. She describes her own style as minimalist and raw – asymmetric lines focusing mostly on silhouette and shape. Geannine graduated in 2007 from the University of East London and launched her label, Geannine Pollazzon, in 2009, with the capsule collection ‘12 Black Dresses’.
Aram has studied different textile techniques and participated in master-classes both inside and outside Armenia. In Malta, he explored arts and fashion trends, and in Florence, style and costume design. Aram combines traditional Armenian craft and culture with Western silhouettes. His professional skills include beading, cutting and sewing and working with leather. He has participated in many competitions and fashion events, winning first prize for National Costume at the 7th International Haute Couture Contest (a special distinction award at the Malta International Art Biennale), and the Grand Prix at the Strogan International Festival of Young Designers. Aram graduated in 2005 from the National Academy of Fine Arts, Yerevan, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Style and Costume Design. He is a director/Chief Designer at “Aram Nikolyan” Atelier and chief designer at “HayJeans” Production.
Andra was born and raised in Maramure, a region in Romania where tradition is famously preserved and cherished. Growing up in this environment, Andra was keenly aware of traditional art and costume from an early age, and this factor had a strong impact on her identity as a young fashion designer. She creatively incorporated traditional craft and design elements into her contemporary collections “Back to Roots,” “Mara Mi” and “My Maramureş.”Her fashion design work is informed by sculpture, painting and photography. She has participated in fashion events in Romania, Italy, France and Germany. Andra graduated from the University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and holds a Master’s degree in Fashion Design. Currently she is a PhD candidate at the same university, researching traditional holiday costume of Maramure anda founder/designer at “Andra Clitan” Fashion Studio.
Ani has successfully participated in the Russian Silhouette fashion event. She graduated in 2008 from the Armenian Open University (named after Loris Kalashyan), and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Modelling of Textile and Light Industry. Currently she works as a designer at “Atex” Fashion Centre.
Ida Gro Christiansen is inspired by the challenges of society, by cultural habits, and by everyday life. Her professional skills include the development of alternative design processes, storytelling through design, textile experimentation, knitting, and cutting and sewing. Ida graduated in 2011 from Kolding School of Design, Denmark, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion. Currently she is studying at the same design school for a Master’s degree in Fashion Design.
After graduating from the Atex Fashion Centre, Gayane worked at the Centre for a further year until 1995. She then founded her own company, Gayane Fashion Studio. She has successfully participated in fashion events such as Armenian Silhouette. She graduated in 1994 from the “Atex”Fashion Centre, Yerevan and is a Founder/Chief Designer at “Gayane” Fashion Studio.
Melanie studied cultural studies and philosophy at the Humboldt University in Berlin. While studying, she undertook an internship at a local fashion label and was inspired to change subjects and study fashion instead. From 2002 Melanie attended the Royal Academy of Antwerp, and in 2004 she moved back to Berlin to pursue her studies further. She graduated in 2009 from the University of Arts, Berlin, with a project focusing on ‘The Artist’s Uniform’ (subsequently shown at exhibitions in Berlin and Vienna and showcased at a private salon at Art Basel 2011).
Kristine has participated successfully in many fashion shows and events. In Yerevan, her design work was featured in the Fashion Show of the Leading Fashion Designers of Armenia, and the International Competition of Fashion Designers in Moscow. She has developed her own brand, ‘Cristhas’. Kristine also has a prestigious graphic design portfolio, developed through projects with graphic design studios in Dubai (3ADA, ARD Global, Interlast Co. Ltd). She graduated from the Armenian State Pedagogical University, Yerevan in 2000 and holds a Master’s degree in Art and Drawing. She has founded her “Cristhas” Fashion Studio.
Pavel lives in Prague and works under the label Muset, which he co-founded in 2003 with his wife, Radana, who is also a designer. The Muset studio specializes in fashion and accessories design, and events. It is renowned for combining the experimental and conceptual, with functional design. This rationale extends to all their fashion projects, shows and exhibitions. Pavel has won many international awards, including AltaRomaAltaModa, the Chloe Award 2006, Next Couture Award 2007, and the Designer of the Year 2007 at the Czech Grand Design Awards. He opened the MA Fashion show at London Fashion Week in 2007 with his graduate collection. In 2010 he represented the Czech Republic with an exclusive collection at EXPO 2010 in Shanghai. He graduated in 2007 from Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, London.
Check the photos of the participants’ work samples.
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