May 29, 2017
ANDREI BALINT
Model: Serena Mile
Photographer: Emil Costrut
Hair: Dragos Liss
MUA: Lidia Gligor
by Daniel Beltran
“I always design for a different woman. I like to create a character when I design a new collection. I love the fantasy in it, each woman that I design for turns into a muse for me. That’s why I bring emotions into my designs, that way I can show to the world these amazing characters. It is not just about the clothes, it’s about the feelings and the moments that brought to life each piece of my collections”.
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Andrei Balint is a gifted fashion designer based in London. We talked in exclusive with him, about the struggles of being an up & coming designer, fresh out of college and how to keep it positive in order to reach all his dreams.
SCURO- Tell us a little more about who you are as a designer?
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ANDREI BALINT- I am an emerging fashion designer from London, which transposes experiences into my work, bringing together both Romanian and British influences into the outcome of my work. Cultural backgrounds help me to create a character for each collection giving it a life of their own.
S- What sparked your interest in fashion?
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AB- My interest in fashion was always there even before I knew it’s something you can make a career out of. I remember sketching when I was 3 or 4. More than a career this is a passion for me, I live because of it. Whenever I find myself designing or even doodling something that popped into in my mind, I just feel alive. That’s how I know I couldn´t be doing anything else.
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S-What made you take fashion more seriously and make a career out of it?
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AB- My passion for fashion was always there and there was nothing else that I could have seen myself doing. As I told you before, fashion makes me feel alive. I can´t really put into words what I truly feel about it, it´s like a state of mind.
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S-How has your work evolved during the years?
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AB- Looking back at my old sketches, I can’t say it’s a dramatic evolution. It’s just more mature. But then again, I’m just learning each day more and more, so I am really sure that my work will continue evolving through the years to come. Actually, that makes me quite excited, to think what I might become in the near future.
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S-Does your approach differ when designing for women compared to men?
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AB- Today is really hard to define what’s feminine and what’s masculine. So no, my approach is the same. I do really like androgyny and how it defies boundaries and the standards of “female and male clothing”.
S-What kind of women would wear your designs?
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AB- I always design for a different type of woman. I like to create a character when I design a new collection. I love the fantasy in it, each woman that I design for turns into a muse for me. That’s why I bring emotions into my designs, that way I can show these amazing characters to the world. It is not just about the clothes, it’s about the feelings and the moments that brought to life each piece of my collections.
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S-Tell us a little bit more about your last collection…
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My last collection was inspired by witches stories. I was always fascinated by how we like to blame someone else for what happens to us and that’s how witches came into my mind.
S-What was the public’s response to your collection?
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AB- Given the theme of course, it wasn’t well received by everybody. I think it’s a collection that you either love or hate, but it was a commercial success. As a designer, furthermore as an artist you always have to be prepared to critique and to the possibility of people not liking your vision by the merely fact they don’t understand it. Personally, I love the controversy I can create as a designer.
S-What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed your work?
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AB- Well right now, I´m reading a lot about human evolution and the first civilizations on earth. At the moment, I’m not sure how it will feed my work. It’s a lot of information and probably I will have to focus on one thing. But it´s all part of a creative process, I think when then right topic shows up, I’ll know it right away.
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S-What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started out as designer?
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AB-Probably the biggest lesson I’ve learnt it’s to trust my own vision. Trust my gut, I guess if you really trust and believe in yourself, you´d be able to let go and just show that vulnerable side to world, that side we all are just too afraid to show.
S-What advice would you give to other young designers?
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AB- You have to work hard and believe in your work even if the public’s response is not what you would have hoped for. You have to stay true to who you are. Everything will come in its own time, it´s just a matter of patience and persistence.
S-what’s your motto?
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AB- Never take no for an answer.
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