About the Seller
Pieces in a collection that tell a story. Designer Yuliya Wim Merlin unique dresses, skirts, tops, and accessories have unexpected accents. Double looks within one piece show the creativity at Julia's fingertips.
What is your inspiration for this collection?
People and their stories. You can see the dual character of Monte-Carlo's "casino player", the fight between power of money and freedom of expression with "golden chains" in Las Vegas, creative urban chic of European cities with "built-in gloves". You would think of Native-American jewelry with the 3-D macramé. You might want to travel to Swiss Alps to see for real the violet cows who seem to give chocolate and not milk. And finally you might admire both aesthetics and taste of Japanese sushi. And the stories are endless..
What drove you to choose fashion design and specifically starting your own design?
In fact, it always was my hobby to design my own clothes. I especially loved knitwear for its ability to become whatever you want it to be. I never learned to sew or knit, so I found a domestic knitter with an old knitting machine who was executing the best she could with my sometimes crazy designs. It continued for years and friends started asking me to make them the same outfits as I had. With time, I became a part-time knitwear designer.
Having worked in marketing for big multinational companies for over 10 years, I knew that only the ignorant could come up with new ideas: he just does not know that everything has already been invented. So I've only acquired the knitting skills leaving the designer knowledge to others. And now, it's me who has a machine at home to make my own designs. I took a knitwear design class with one of the top fashion textile design companies- Knit-1, selling designs to the industry at all levels of the market.
Describe your style:
Fashion impressionism? Chic surrealism? Whatever you call it, there are always 2 elements- a story and a twist.
My items most often tell a story. It's interesting to see how the same story is differently told in different kinds of art. You can see Eve's apple in paintings, sculpture, literature, music, home decorations, architecture and even technology. There are so many great and funny stories which are told by all means but fashion. I always loved to think of fashion as of wearable art.
It's hard to wear an art piece, so I try to work with rather classical colors and color combinations. My items have classical core with its predominantly black color and figure-hugging silhouettes. But it's this little twist in classical theme through visual effects and trompe l'oeil that allows me to tell my stories.
Your 3 wardrobe staples:
High heels, statement accessories, conversation-triggering outfit
Perfect night on the town outfit:
Frankly, it depends on the town. Despite globalization and "fashion designer" excuse, I would think twice before wearing the same extravagant outfit in Tokyo, Japan and Lausanne, Switzerland.
What are other activities you enjoy doing besides designing?
If it wasn't for the knitwear designer as my "underground" activity, I'd become a lifestyle journalist. Moving to Tokyo made me consider blogging- there are just so many things to tell!
What is your favorite part about being a Fashion Designer?
Enjoying real-life catwalk and being your advertiser! What can be better than wearing your own outfits and getting clients as a result!
