In Conversation with Designer Alena Vezza

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR CREATIVE INDIVIDUALS

N.01 - SEPTEMBER N.09 JUNE 2015 2016 ENGLISH EDITION

A CURIOUS DESTINATION DIANE PERNET

ALENA VEZZA

A SHADED VIEW

30

TIPS FOR YOUNG ZANZIBAR DESIGNERS VIBES

HOW Handmade TO in

of SWIM &KNIT

FASHION

Ukraine WIN

LOVE FOR TRAVEL

NOIR CATCHER EDITIONS

‘I let the Universe guide me.’

NOIR CATCHER JUNE 2016

2

Alena Vezza

bnm

IN CONVERSATION

Courtesy of Vezzarium

www.vezzarium.com

Alena Vezza

is the type of woman who has endless stories from the magic faraway, from places that stretch far beyond the ordinary urban city and our imagination. She is an Ukrainian artist, photographer, model, designer, social activist and an escapist. Her last creative project is the swimwear brand Vezzarium. Handmade in Ukraine, and conceived in Zanzibar, her swimwear pieces, not just express different cultural traditions and crafting techniques but tell a story, a tale of the mystic land of Africa. Carefully handcrafted, each swimsuit is one of a kind piece; double-sided, carrying boldness and elegance at the same time.

We had the pleasure to meet Alena during her first showroom presentation held in Four Seasons Hotel Baku, Azerbaijan and find out more about her inspirations, her process of creation, her travel tips from her thrilling adventures and her world full of happiness, peace and love.

This interview is devoted to all travellers and wanderers.

NOIR CATCHER JUNE 2016

4

Alena Vezza posing for Vezzarium Zanzibar island, Tanzania. Photo by Denis Kartavenko

What lays at the heart of your creations?

It seems Vezzarium is a self-portrait of your own self.

It is true. I do not perceive it as “work”. One of my main rules is always to do everything that brings me joy, do it in the best possible way, without thinking about result itself. I want to get in touch with people. I let the Universe guide me. I would like to share my experience and inner world through a self-portrait. I am a lucky girl, who had the chance to travel around the world and see all these beautiful and unique places and cultures that inspired me. When I start a project I am very commited to it for years and I am always thinking about the subject of self identity. One of my realities are the spaces which I visit, which I occupy. I love to take photos of the rooms I stay in, capturing the life of my personal belongings in different variations. These are small things that make me feel alive. Vezzarium is still a newborn, but if it can inspire other people, it means my life is worthy.

I like to make people happy. I like to do everything by hands. This habit comes from my mom. Since I was a child I remember her making clothes for me and herself. She was always very elegant and fashionable even during the times of the Soviet Union, when fashion barely existed there. She was traveling a lot, always bringing magazines and textiles from abroad.

How was Vezzarium born?

Vezzarium is a little but big world of mine that has no borders. It is full of freedom, joy, creation, adventures, passion and love. It is a free minded world. I am Alena Vezza and my friends call my world Vezzarium. Is not only a swimwear brand, it is my way of living and being.

What is the brand’s DNA and your cus- “I want to get in touch with people. I let the Universe guide me. I would like to tomer? share my experience and inner world My swimwear pieces are two sided, partly handmade and through a self-portrait.” using modern technology at the same time. My Vezzarium woman is wise, bold, very elegant and posseses an unique personality.

5

NOIR CATCHER JUNE 2016

How does travelling affect your cre- Why is Zanzibar so special for you? ations? Was travelling a life changing Zanzibar in Tanzania has a crystal clear turquoise sea water, beautiful free diving, funny Maasai people walking on experience for you?

the beach and simple peace and joy. I just love Africa and I would like to travel all around it and discover this unique and ancient land that is not touched by the contemporary world yet. It is like getting back in time, seeing history alive.

I am not a fan of big cities. I feel depressed there. In small cities and villages I feel free and real.

I think that travelling is the best University in the world.

It made me a super organized person. It let me live very free and minimalistic. I have my main “storage” in Ukraine, but I realized that a suitcase, camera and credit card is all you need. I can really say that I live in the present moment.

I don’t live in the past, nor worry about the future. Every morning when I wake up, I want to make the day beautiful and to share my happiness with others. I am not a materialistic person at all. In my life the rule of ‘giving-receiving’ is not working. For me giving from the heart is the only way, ultimately leading to a good karma. Thanks to my travelling experience I found that happiness is in the simple things, such as blowing up 100 colourful balloons on a beach full of kids and see them smiling, laughing and running after the flying balloons. Or just make a present without any reason to somebody you love and care about. Or just live everything behind and go to hug your friend who is crying and give him some inspiring words. Humans are the biggest value of this world.

“..so why don’t we use layers of material to create an unique pattern?”

It looks like that invention in fashion is still possible.

One of my art teachers told me that everything that is new is just a very good version of an old forgotten thing. I don’t think that I invented anything new, I just created a different cocktail by using the same ingredients. We always wear layers of clothes, so why don’t we use layers of material to create an unique pattern? The real invention will come in the future, when people would be able to create anything they can imagine straight in their homes, without going trough the long and heavy process of manufacturing.

“We, the human beings, are all amazing in our own unique way.”

Alena Vezza with locals from Zanzibar island, Tanzania.

Photo by Denis Kartavenko NOIR CATCHER JUNE 2016

6

Alena Vezza dancing with locals for Vezzarium Photo by Denis Kartavenko Zanzibar island, 2016.

Does Vezzarium strive for a positive so- What is your Mantra? cial change? “OM!�

I hope so. Anything that make people smile should be positive. People like to be in touch with each other, communicate. Most of the people start their conversation from the subject of weather. If the subject of an unique swimwear can be a reason of getting to know each other and share some joy I would be more then happy and yes, it will be a positive development.

What is your next dream destination?

Myanmar and also known as Burma, while it is still authentic, before tourism change it. The country opened just few years ago and I want to see its reality, its traditions, and feel the soul of the people. Untouched.

What is your definition of beauty?

________________________________ Interview by Elizabeth Zhivkova ________________________________

I think Beauty is not something that you see. Beauty always comes from within, from the behavior, from the values, from the respect of others. For me a truly beautiful person is the one not judgemental, the one who sees and remembers only the positive. The rest of the beauty comes automatically.

What is your career path?

When I was 17 years old I started working as a model. At the same time I graduated university as an interior designer, then I found myself in photography and now in fashion design. And more to come... (smiling) 7

NOIR CATCHER JUNE 2016

Alena Vezza posing for Vezzarium Model “Alya 21” in special pink edition.

Zanzibar island, Tanzania.

Photo by Denis Kartavenko NOIR CATCHER JUNE 2016

8

Portrait of Alena Vezza Illustrated by Katarzyna Jagielnicka for Noir Catcher

9

NOIR CATCHER JUNE 2016

©NOIR CATCHER 2016