The collection spirit has been conceived from the smell I created in the initial creative phase. It accentuates the impenetrable strangeness of the world where amongst chaos beautiful things can flourish. I am inspired by what goes beyond the limitations of coherent logic and conveying the deep complexity and truth of life's impalpable connections and hidden phenomena. A common ground for a fragrance and a piece of clothing is that they both are indicators of a person’s mood and attitude. In this blend, I focus on the ingredients like absinthe, incense, jasmine, petroleum and ink that together evoke associations with some healing elixir. The collection is an ode to my fondness for eclecticism and cultural revelations and rituals from my country of birth, Poland. This liminal realm of storytelling and fashion is filled with characters that change their attires throughout rites of passage revealing inner energy and an overriding passion.

Over the last years, I have been a fervent collector of miscellaneous objects and textiles from flea markets. It is not only about mawkish nostalgia for historic treasures but an awareness of recycling possibilities. By using preexisted materials each piece is one of a kind and repurposed for a radically new aesthetic. My ever-evolving experimentation with shape, form and colour trains my eye for composition. As I manage different design forms, I must consider how to manage ideas for an uncertain future where uniting can save nature under anthropocentric attack.

Cultural myths from around the world describe a time when only women knew the secrets of life and death, and therefore they also could practice the art of healing. Women’s revered position as keepers of the sacred wisdom was deliberately and forcibly wrested away from them. The legal right to practice the healing vocations was gradually eroded by changing mores.

Women who forge their own paths reached through insight into their intuition, dreams and connection with nature are provoking my unsatisfied curiosity. It is difficult to meet a community that does not exclude - we live in a quite exclusive society - which supersedes age, tradition, and to a large extent also female wisdom. I would like my garments to embellish the body as well as empower the mind. Other inspirations I work with include mystery of the ordinary in René Magritte paintings, feminity of nudes by André Kertész, earth body works of Ana Mendieta, assemblage deities of Władysław Hasior and poetic reasoning of reality by Andrei Tarkovsky.

fig. 1. latex flowers styling piece, ball gown skirt, clag bag with shark teeth

fig. 2. asymmetric dress, knitted bra and knickers, tattoo tights

fig. 3. asymmetric mini long sleeve, wide hips flares, silk corset, pointy clogs

fig. 4. body bag

Being Amongst, Within, and Without

11.11.2021 - 14.11.2021

Safehouse 2
137 Copeland Rd
London SE15 3SN
UK

fig. 1. jacquard jacket, skirt with paper appliqué, lace clogs

fig. 2. hand painted skirt, hand knitted sweater, croched raffia bra, satin headscarf, gradient tights, lace clogs

fig. 4. hand painted t-shirt, adjustable skirt, lace clogs

fig. 5. hand knitted sweater, silicone corset, adjustable skirt, lace clogs