Valeria Zhalobina
Contact:
valeriazhalobina@gmail.com
University/School:
British Higher School or Art and Design Moscow
Location:
British Higher School or Art and Design Moscow
Specialism:
About Me
Hi, I'm Valeria, a graduate from BHSAD Moscow
Valeria looks into the metamorphic journey of youth, from the safe, padded chrysalis of adults’ protection through the splitting pains of identification to self-conscious adolescence. Valeria weaves threads of the recent disruptive global events into the fabric of her collection, querying how much social distancing has affected a young person’s evolution.
Ripples of the recent social separation are felt throughout the entire collection in the punchy slogan “AntiSocial distancing”, printed masks, jersey gloves and loose belts as a symbol of separated youth. The evocative colour white like a space key button creates a visual gap interrupting the flow of the collection, in the way the pandemic has put the livelihood of youth on hold. Fabrics are manipulated to echo post-Soviet urban shapes and forms accentuated by the monotonous beauty of urban lines or markings.
INSPIRATION
I am reliving my teenage encounters, both good and bad, grim and enlightening, in my collection.
In the summer, during lockdown, I was amassing photos of places where we used to hang around as teens to relive memories of the past. As well as taking a trip down memory lane, I was looking into how the new social distancing norms, restrictions and isolation impacted teenage communities, in particular. Despite the obvious necessity of the norms to save lives, the negative effect of social distancing on teenagers and young adults cannot be underestimated.
I am inspired by my own photographs of the most important places of my teenage years as well as images of urban landscapes of provincial Russia. All the shapes, cuts and silhouettes of this collection have been conceptualised with this imagery in mind. The message is to highlight the importance of teenage communities and the freedom to accept all manifestations of life, stumble and fall and bounce back from mistakes as a better person.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
Development of Shapes and Silhouettes
Generation of the Range Plan Proposal
My favourite ideas for print
Illustrated Range Plan and Technical Drawings
Look 5
Look 7
Look 3
Look 6
Look 2
Look 1
Photoshoot I "LockDown Flashback"
Photoshoot I "LockDown Flashback"
Photoshoot II "Another Vision"
Photoshoot I "LockDown Flashback"
Photoshoot I "LockDown Flashback"
Photoshoot II "Another Vision"
Photoshoot I "LockDown Flashback"
Photoshoot I "LockDown Flashback"
Final Line Up
DETAIL
I supported the complexity of my idea with multi-layered looks and complex garment constructions.
From underneath inflated, harsh, shell-like quilted coats and vests symbolically staggered and asymmetrical, reflecting a teenager’s phases of maturity, peeps out the vulnerable, gentle core of a young person, presented by semi-transparent jersey leggings and tops encapsulating the body. My signature grown-on collars, strong quilted jump-suits and a multitude of zips and belts contrast sharply with femine unusually structured corsets, silk shorts and sporty body-suits. The transformer dress, the final showpiece of the collection, signifies the final stage of a young person’s evolution similar to that of a butterfly spreading its wings and growing in confidence. The garment being intricately detailed with visible seams and a colourful overlock, an allusion to the early transformative pains of a young person, encompasses a voluminous intense red quilted skirt and a signature corset with square cups as well as a contrasting gentle jersey top.
My collection is about merging gentle femininity, stroppy teenage years, hard reality and comfort.
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