VIKTORIA MARCHEV

Specialized in Fashion Design.

VIKTORIA MARCHEV

About VIKTORIA MARCHEV

Viktoria Marchev Hungarian native New-York based fashion designer launched her brand mainly focusing on women’s swimwear. Since 2014 she has been experimenting with new technologies and she has created molded pieces of silicone rubber, a versatile material, which supports her sci-fi ambience concepts. The original concept of switching from textile based materials to liquid silicone rubber was to minimize waste during the creative process. The casting-molding-pouring technology requires detailed design but allows more precise definition of the necessary material amount. The liquid substance allows the artist to accurately calculate the fluid ounces and make it all part of the final artwork. This technology also resonates with multiple important features the designer considers to important in her designs, including but not limited to 3D patterns, uniquely designed garments, the possibility of mass production with high level of accuracy, flexibility and structure simultaneously.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Fashion Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Fashion
SS2019 Splash Silicone Rubber Clothing Fashion Apparel

SS2019 Splash Silicone Rubber Clothing Fashion Apparel

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Interview with VIKTORIA MARCHEV

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
My design studio, which consists of me is focused on creating sustainable design solutions for women's clothing. Originally started out with swimwear, then shifted to new technologies, working with fabrics that have a lot in common with traditional swimwear fabrics, but bring other benefits too: less waste, easy cleaning, one by one production for unique patterns, 3D patterns, possibility of mass production, if necessary.
What is "design" for you?
I will approach it a few different ways. Design is a mean of self-expression to me. A platform where I can fully be myself and "say" things I wouldn't dare to in everyday conversations, being as shy as I am. At the same time design is a meticulous process where you imagine everything ahead of time, so when it gets to the physical manifestation of it, you don't have to think just do. I learnt this approach during my studies in Architecture, that the more you think ahead, the faster the implementation will be.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
I cherish all of them as they all have their own personal story, as I mentioned above design for me is self-expression and as such they all represent an era in my life. However if I really need to choose one, I will choose the yellow silicone dress from the collection S/S 2019 'SPLASH', as this was the biggest challenge to make, and besides the design process, it required a lot of physical strength too, so overall I am brave to say that this was the piece I put the most effort in throughout the years.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
I mostly work for myself creating my collections, however I have had an interesting project in recent years to design for the Museum of Science Fiction in Washington, DC. . It was back in 2021 for an on-line exhibition to introduce their audience that mostly consists of science-fiction enthusiasts to the concept of silicone, and its importance. So I created a capsule collection of 3 pieces, where each of them would reflect some of my earlier works and at the same time would emphasize one important feature of this exciting material, therefore I made a piece that represents the following qualities: waterproofness, 3D patterns, integrity. You can read more about this project at the following link:

Extended Interview with VIKTORIA MARCHEV

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I studied architecture, but I am a self-taught fashion designer, I learnt along the way. My knowledge for that reason is mostly practical. I experiment a lot, so in that sense curiosity is my greatest teacher. In the past few years I have been working for a men’s suiting company.
How did you become a designer?
My everyday emotions. I live through a lot of emotions everyday which are hard to process or express and whatever would be suppressed becomes part of my design process. As an example, the very start of my design career, I started as a swimwear designer, the motivation for that was that as a child, I spent a lot of time swimming as Hungary offers a lot of natural thermal spas and it is part of the culture. However as I started to grow into a woman, the joy of enjoying water got suppressed by the fact I didn’t feel comfortable being exposed and carrying the attention that comes with it. When I started to design, I always aimed at designing pieces that provide the wearer with the sensation of being dressed up, so swimsuits have always been a major element of my collections. I also felt it gives me a bigger surface to create. I wanted to be able to express my feminine side and the joy of water.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
Definitely not forced, I was gently pushed into this direction by life.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
Swimwear remains the main aesthetic of my lines. I really love designing bodysuit-type garments, statement pieces, which can be worn on stage, on the red carpet or in films.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Take as many opportunities as you can. You cannot possibly predict which opportunity you take is going to thrust you to the next level. A fashion designer’s path can seem convoluted sometimes, but there is a way to navigate. There are multiple designer platforms where you can showcase your portfolio. A’Design Award is a wonderful opportunity for talent artists to showcase their work, receive world-wide recognition and get constant media coverage. Participate at fashion events. It doesn’t have to be the biggest Fashion Week right away, you can take it step by step. Be part of a fashion community. Surround yourself with like-minded people who believe in what you believe in. Even if it is just one person who believes with you, or even if it is only temporary. At the same time familiarize yourself with the concept of loneliness, because sometimes it can be a very lonely lifestyle.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
Persistence. It is true within one project or throughout the years too. It requires a lot of discipline, because nowadays it is so popular to search for instant gratification and projects, especially complicated, new and big projects take time. You have to be able to hold the vision for a very long time, sometimes without being able to show anything to the public or even to people close to you. Sometimes you just have to put in the hours and keep working until it resembles the vision in your head. This is definitely not a quick process.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Everything has a purpose. It is important to find the right one and to dedicate the whole design process to that purpose. If it is self-expression then the design has to be humble enough to embrace the story, it cannot be overly complicated, it has to be proportionate to the message. If the purpose however is to solve a technological challenge, then the design has to be a bit more risk-taking, as right now this project is the perfect platform to shine as an inventor or an innovator. It is always the purpose that matters.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Designs which are well thought through can last longer and represent a higher energy frequency. Surrounding yourself with less, but higher quality items can create a cleaner environment, than overcrowding your life with multiple, quickly made objects which only serve one or temporary purposes. Usually getting even just one such item can inspire you to completely restructure your life.
What is your day to day look like?
I am very excited to design for science-fiction movies and live concert performances, these both have been dreams of mine for a long while. I would be very happy to work with some of my favorite actors, actresses and singers.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
One of my dreams is to open my flagship store in NYC, where regardless of season I can sell my collections and connect to my customers.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
I think a lot before I start doing anything. I love thinking through all the details even before making a sketch, I elaborate on the ideas for months if it is a collection and I only start working on them when I am very clear about what I want to accomplish. It is an invisible process and it requires a lot of discipline, as no one around you thinks you are even working. But a huge part of the work is internal.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
While he is in a different field, I will mention Santiago Calatrava, Spanish architect. His innovative approach towards Architecture, his clean and minimalist designs have always been in the center of my attention. He is clearly creating the future.
What is your biggest design work?
To continue the previous question, one of his buildings, which can be found in the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, the L’Hemisferic. I feel the integrity of the concept to create an eye with the building and the building’s reflection in the water in front of it is unique and inspiring.
Who is your favourite designer?
Pieces of my most recent collection, the S/S 2024 ‘YOLO…this time’. I feel that this is a collection where I found a balance between using innovative technologies and something that is easier to process.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
Less is more. Let it be the number of looks in a collection, the number of challenges you are facing, sometimes it can refer to the number of colors or shapes. I think focus is a very important skill. Don’t try to put everything into one design or in one collection.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
There were a couple of other options, but if you ask me now, I would be a painter.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
I will approach it a few different ways. Design is a mean of self-expression to me. A platform where I can fully be myself and "say" things I wouldn't dare to in everyday conversations, being as shy as I am. At the same time design is a meticulous process where you imagine everything ahead of time, so when it gets to the physical manifestation of it, you don't have to think just do. I learnt this approach during my studies in Architecture, that the more you think ahead, the faster the implementation will be.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
It is a different person in every era of my life. Somebody always decides to join.

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