Camelia Skikos is a fashion architect in her own right. Her design philosophy stems from an on-going fascination with the human body, resulting in carefully orchestrated designs that fit to perfection. Her technique involves using rigid, straight-edge geometric shapes and combining them with the more curvaceous female form. The result creates a multidimensional effect of innovation, dynamism and a sophisticated sense of femininity with an edge.
After completing a degree in Fashion Design at the University of Art in Romania, Camelia Skikos moved to London, England, where she further defined her fashion studies and aesthetic, while working as a Fashion Illustrator and Designer for various British brands. In 2003 Camelia relocated to San Francisco, where she accepted a position as a head designer at Levi Strauss. While working for Levi's, she was also designing for GAP and teaching Fashion Design at the Academy of Art University.
Skikos derives inspiration from geometric shapes and tends to stick to a restrained colour palette to emphasis these forms. For instance, in her Fall/Winter collection, she uses cobalt blue, black and cream, as she did with her Spring / Summer collection, replacing a bold red for a radiant blue.
For Skikos, the cobalt blue colour in the FW/11 collection came from specific inspirations such as the school uniforms she used to have to wear in Romania, Yves Klein art and Brancusi's sculptures. The fine art influences Skikos incorporates in her designs gives an architectural feeling to her collection that is modern and highly versatile. The shoulder harnesses, shrugs and body harnesses made in wool offer a striking alternative to accessories.
How do you define your work?
My style balances between sophistication and edgy. It has a duality between a very constructed, tailored look and a softer, more natural glamour. My technique involves using geometric shapes and combining them with the human body.
What drives you to design?
The need to create and the necessity to make new things, to experiment.
Who in fashion inspires you the most?
I like Maison Margiela for the way he is pushing the boundaries between art and fashion and Rei Kawakubo for her avant-garde creations.
What fashion trends are we on the cusp of?
I don't follow the trends closely but I think 2011 fashion trends will accommodate the fact that people will be buying less but spending more. That means less bland, and more quality. Fewer indulgences, but better statement pieces.
What does style mean to you?
Style should be an expression of who you are. It's terrible to see so many people wearing the same clothes and looking the same without a individual style.
Article by: Alanna Anderson
Copyright 2011 Contra. ideas. people. culture.
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