Sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to find.
Kristina Fidelskaya spearheads her eponymous womenswear brand, which was launched in 2014, and has its headquarters in Dubai and production in Italy. The contemporary luxury fashion brand offers ready-to-wear separates, evening wear, dresses, coats and jackets. Think elegant textures, delicate lace, luxurious silks, cashmere and soft wool, all in muted hues and with razor sharp geometric lines. This is a brand that celebrates the feminine figure, bringing a pinch of the chic 60s silhouette back, for a timeless yet glamorous wardrobe of wearable pieces.
Kristina’s love for fashion stemmed at a young age, watching her mother create unique pieces at a time in history where the concept of individuality and expression were against the norm. She later studied at Dubai’s Esmod Fashion Institute, where she learnt her trademark exquisite construction and tailoring techniques. It was at this stage that Fidelskaya, like her mother, discovered that fashion, as an art form, would become her creative outlet.
We chat to the entrepreneurial mother of two about her inspirations, style, and the perfect wedding guest.
Your brand celebrates femininity, power and independence. How would you describe the modern woman?
The modern woman is a go-getter and ambitious. Yet she doesn’t compromise on femininity and elegance when it comes to her style.
What were your fashion influences when you were growing up? Did you always dream of going into fashion and becoming a designer?
Growing up and even to this day, my surroundings act as my fashion influences. My mother had a huge impact on my style and my love for fashion. She was not a fashion designer but she had a love for creating fashion that she passed on to me. My dream was to be a creative being and to create art, in any form I could with any medium as well. I became a designer because I wanted to give women the style and elegance that I myself search for, and I wanted to empower women through the language of fashion.
If you hadn’t been part of the fashion industry, what would you be doing?
Besides my full-time job of being a mother of two, I would have ventured into photography. I love capturing a specific moment in time, or a scene that resonates with me. Experimenting with different photography equipment, from using various objects, to models, is a passion of mine. Photographs in general are really meaningful to me, since I love keeping them as mementos or souvenirs.
How has your brand evolved since it was founded two years ago?
My brand has evolved in the sense of me gaining more confidence in the process, which in turn affects my designs and collections. Being more in tune with my aspirations and creativity when it comes to design has made my brand evolve to reflect my personal taste and style more. My brand represents my vision of what it means to be a woman. It revolves around and celebrates the modern and contemporary woman who is feminine and elegant, yet ambitious. It is also a reflection of the current times we live in, for the woman we all aspire to be, in the sense of having great fashion sense, being goal-driven and simply inspirational.
What inspires you?
When thinking about a collection, I ask myself, ‘What would I like to wear?’ I find inspiration everywhere, from my surroundings to my mood. There is no end to the creative process, it is ongoing and constant. The modern contemporary woman also plays a role in inspiring my designs, she is a woman who sees fashion as a form of self-expression. The designs’ tailoring and structure promote versatility and functionality, with a touch of chic and elegance.
How would you define your own style?
I would define my style as versatile and timeless. Versatility comes from the modern woman, who has a career and a social life, whose wardrobe must easily and fashionably suit her current lifestyle. Every woman who wants to look elegant and sophisticated searches for a timeless style. I make sure to mirror my style within all the pieces.
What is your favourite era of fashion?
My favourite era of fashion is definitely the 60s, the decade of Audrey Hepburn and of garments that highlighted and accentuated the woman’s silhouette and figure in a stylish manner. I particularly love the bright colours and the slender shapes that the era was known for, and I aim to emulate this in my designs.
Whose style do you admire and why?
I highly admire Amal Clooney’s style. Her style portrays that she is a powerful intelligent woman who always looks put together, and as a force to be reckoned with.
Who would you love to see wearing your designs?
Amal Clooney, she embodies the contemporary sophisticated woman, combining both beauty and brains.
The items in your collection are all very elegant and wearable go-to items that you never tire of. What are your top five wardrobe must-haves?
A dress coat, like the ones featured in every one of my collections
A tailored blazer
A little black dress
A little white dress
A jumpsuit
When it comes to dressing for events, do you tend to be more dressed up or casual?
It depends on the event but I tend to dress up because I truly enjoy it. Plus, it is always better to be overdressed than underdressed!
What do you feel is the decorum for a wedding guest, should they make choices to ensure they don’t upstage the bride?
It is proper decorum for wedding guests to dress reasonably and sensibly for a wedding, particularly not to upstage the bride. After all, it is a day dedicated to celebrating the love between the bride and groom and nothing should upstage that.
When shopping for the perfect wedding guest outfit what would your advice be?
My advice is to wear a piece that is flattering, fun and feminine because after all, the guests do set the stage at a wedding. One must be comfortable in the dress as well, to allow easy movement. A wedding is meant to be enjoyed with plenty of dancing that runs well into the evening, so comfort is key.
Which pieces from your collection would you say are ideal choices to wear for a wedding?
Depending on the venue of the wedding in question, and besides the white pieces, my ideal choices to wear for a wedding from my collection would be the black dress with soft pink and white stripes, the two pastel green dresses that comes in a strapless version and in a knee-length dress. I would even consider the pastel pink and green colour blocked stripe dress.
Would you choose a large hat or a smaller headpiece at weddings?
I would choose a large hat because it will be a statement piece that will pull the entire outfit together.
Your collection is chic and simple with a muted colour palette. Tell us your tips for accessorising it.
I have designed my pieces in such a versatile manner that they act a blank canvas so that the wearer’s personality can shine, through the use of accessories. She can accessorise with a statement piece, be it an eye-catching necklace, a bright heel for a pop of colour, or a trendy clutch or handbag.
What is the one piece in your own wardrobe that you always turn to when you want to transform a simple outfit?
The piece I turn to is my white dress coat. I am such a fan of the design of a dress coat, that I have incorporated the piece, using different fabrics, in all of my collections thus far. It upgrades a simple outfit by giving it substance and elegance.
Tell us what is on your wish list at the moment to add to your wardrobe?
On my wish list at the moment is a vintage Chanel jacket. It embodies timeless class and is a staple of fashion history.
If you could give one piece of style advice, what would it be?
Sincerity and confidence go a long way. Stay true to yourself and showing confidence will set you apart from the rest.
by Eliza Scarborough
