Style Hunter Meets... Russian Fashion Designer Olga Vilshenko

With five seasons under her belt, Russian fashion designer Olga Vilshenko can already count some of the globe's coolest fashon stores as her home and a number one fan in the very stylish songstress, Florence Welch. Our Flo has worn the brand’s signature folksy paisley prints three times now, so when we heard Olga was visiting her London studio we wanted to know more about the women bringing Babushka into style…

Grazia Daily: What do you always rely on in your wardrobe?
Olga Vilshenko: I always wear dresses and blouses as I find them easy to throw on yet they always look feminine and stylish.

Grazia Daily: Is there one thing you have a soft spot for? What do you always turn to if you aren’t sure what to wear?

Olga Vilshenko: I love loose fitting clothing and always turn to them if in doubt.  They are comfortable and if I am in a rush but want to look chic I always wear a lurex Vilshenko blouse.

Grazia Daily: Who or what influences your style? And what’s inspiring you right now?
Olga Vilshenko:I am always inspired by things around me and all things Russian, especially old Russian books, other designers and designs from the 70s, and fabrics from the 70’s also.

Grazia Daily: What’s been your biggest fashion mistake?
Olga Vilshenko: To be honest, it happens a lot but then fashion is cyclical so things always come back into fashion a few years later so it will never be that much of a faux pas/fashion disaster.  You need to be creative and have fun with fashion so there is always going to be a certain risk element involved.   When you look back at old photos it can be funny as outfits that were fashionable then aren’t anymore – generally everyone looks funny in old photos even if they played it safe!

Grazia Daily: How has your home country influenced your design?
Olga Vilshenko: It always influences my designs and collections, 100%.   Everything from Russian books, Russian heritage, museums, old vintage folk dresses, buildings, architecture to Russian history – everything around me has an impact in my collections creatively.

Grazia Daily: What will you be investing in for SS13?
Olga Vilshenko: I loved Saint Laurent’s show and thought the collection was very feminine and chic.  The full length dresses look very elegant and stylish yet easy to wear – a bit like Vilshenko.  I can see myself wearing lots of dresses from the collection and particularly have my eye one the floral maxi dress.