TATIANA COLE
~ Designer ~
"The Beginning"
PART 1
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine's Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Copa: Where are you from?
Tatiana: I'm from the wonderful country of Russia. You can really tell from my name, it's pretty common name back home. Copa: Which city did you you grow up in?
Tatiana: I'm from a city named Saratov, it's build on the side of a huge river. It's quite similar to the Potomac River, it's name is the Volga River. |
Copa: At what time did you discover that you had a great skill to design clothing?
Tatiana: It was pretty early, I believe I was about 7 years of age. I would prefer to dress my dolls rather that to just play with them. At the age of 12 I began to design and make my own clothing. One year at Summer Camp I designed my first collection, at that time I discovered that this would be something I would love to be doing all of my life. Copa: What was the inspiration of your earlier designs?
Tatiana: The main inspiration were magazines. We had limited access to fashion magazines because at the time, everything was controlled by the government. My mom used to go to the seamstress to alter her clothing or to make something new for the holidays, Russian people are crazy about fashion. I remember sitting in the waiting room and looking at some magazines. At the time I really didn't understand what I was looking at but it was a book about the construction of patterns with notes, i was totally fascinated so I developed a passion at that moment. |
Copa: After you settled in living in the United States, when did you establish your business?
Tatiana: Actually when I got her I didn't plan on getting started right away. When I arrived I didn't thoroughly understand the American culture. It took me a few years to pull everything together, when things were right I began. There are many immigrants that come here with hope for a brighter future. I became courageous enough to place my best foot forward and her I am now.
Tatiana: Actually when I got her I didn't plan on getting started right away. When I arrived I didn't thoroughly understand the American culture. It took me a few years to pull everything together, when things were right I began. There are many immigrants that come here with hope for a brighter future. I became courageous enough to place my best foot forward and her I am now.
Copa: Why elegant designs?
Tatiana: To me, it's all about the clients, I enjoy the entire process of working with them and how they really wish to present themselves. I discovered early on that personal image means everything. So it's up to me to use my God given talents help them look their best. People don't wish to be wearing something that everyone has. It's important that a woman should see herself from a different perspective. When they're out at events and look at photos on social media they don't wish to see everyone wearing the same dress. This is why I don't care for Ready to Wear garments. I'm an elegant woman and I want every woman to feel the way I feel. |
Copa: So there's really a strong philosophy behind your style?
Tatiana: Yes, this is my philosophy. I had a client come to me to design a gown for her. She told me that she really didn't know what to do with the dress and when and where she would wear it. This woman just knew how the dress made her feel when she puts it on. |
(Both photos by Cameron Habashi)
PART 2 NEXT WEEK
"The Art of Style"
"The Art of Style"