London-based fashion designer and illustrator

Final BA Collection:
My vision for my A/W ’12-13 ‘Exotic dislocation’ collection is inspired by my multilayered cultural background, art and contemporary influences, merging into individual and cross-culturally designed clothing. References of Asia, the Exotic and oriental as well as Soviet Constructivism conjure up my fascination with opulence and bohemian cultures. Everything exotic and foreign gives a platform for imagination and exploration, and today we are particularly enriched by the world’s cultural exchange through migration and globalization. In this collection I’ve combined travel, escapism and an array of eastern influences with my personal aesthetic and designer codes.

My aim was to balance modern, grown-up edginess with feminine silhouettes to represent long-lasting wardrobe essentials. The collection projects luxury ready to wear with a range of fabrics such as French silk chiffons, Mongolian sheep fur, waxed cotton, cashmere wool and reptile brocade, enhanced with dip-dyed tassel trimmings and chains. Colors run from spicy oranges to aquatic turquoises, balanced with dark plum and light creams.

My muse is a traveler, a bohemian ‘gypset’, a woman who examines herself cross-culturally. I'm very much a 2D to 3D designer and portraying this woman in my 2D work is an essential part of my design process. My explorations are strongly illustrative and realistic with a fusion of techniques: pencil drawing, collage and acrylic paint. It’s about juxtaposition, combinations of stylistic references, eras and blending ideas.

My work reflects a perception of beauty which comes from opposition and disparities. My designer philosophy is one of contrasts and eclectic mixes, with a modern youthful take on upscale dressing. It combines tradition with layers of modernity – as a young designer I feel it is important to look at the future and forecast it on a personal level rather than only repeating the past or conforming to the present. I aim to create a hybrid-aesthetic that appeals to a multitude of women from different cultural backgrounds, who wear culture as a coat.
‘When you put on the clothes of another culture, it changes how you stand, how you feel, the gestures you make.” (Pinar Yolacan in McDonnel, 2007).

EDUCATION

≥ 2009-2012 London College of Fashion
BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear First Class Honors

≥ 2008-2009 London College of Fashion
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design Distinction

≥ 2000-2008 European School of Brussels II
European Baccalaureate 93.6 % average


FASHION DESIGN EXPERIENCE AND EMPLOYMENT

≥ Illustrator Loha Vete, London Uk
March 2013-Present

≥ Mary Katrantzou Design Assistant, London Uk
January-February 2013

≥ Maxime Simoëns Atelier Assistant, Paris Fr
January-April 2011 http://www.maximesimoens.com/

≥ Minna Hepburn Research Assistant, London Uk
January 2010 http://www.minna.co.uk/

≥ Design Museum Bill Gibbs Exhibition Assistant, London October 2008


PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Collection selected for NARS Cosmetics National Conference Fashion Show 2013
• Work Selected for Fitzroy Place Exhibition, London (March-September)
• Participant in the Art13 London Fair, Represented by Linveco Cultural Foundation
• Winner : Teatum jones illustration competition
• Mary Katrantzou Illustration Competition Top 10
• Shortlisted for Nina de York Fashion Illustration Award 2012
• British Fashion Council Short list graduate
• Work published in ‘New Fashion Designer’s sketchbooks’ by Zarida Zaman, June 2012
• Designed garment modeled at Teen Vogue Fashion show at Cuckoo club in London, May 2009
• Organizer of the EEB 2 Fashion show sponsored by Toni & Guy and Make-Up Forever, May 2008
• Presenting own collection at the EEB 2 Fashion Show, May 2008

Featured in:
http://collin-hughes.com/archive/#/e-romano-2012-collection/
http://anastasiakaplan.com/Exotic-Dislocation
http://www.clikclk.fr/2012/07/03/evelina-romano/
http://creativeandlive.com/archives/2012/11/03/evelina-romano-interview
http://www.mikapoka.com/2012/11/go-west-young-girl.html
http://www.thestyleexaminer.com/2012/08/teatum-jones-and-dorchester-hotel.html
http://csokakeller.com/?p=69
http://www.papercutmag.com/editorials/2012/10/charli-photographed-meg-hutchison

Contact:
evelina.romano@hotmail.com