The ‘EGO’ collection is a deeply personal project by a young designer, where fashion becomes a form of introspection and artistic expression. We spoke to the designer about her inspirations, emotions, and plans for the future.
Where did the idea for the ‘EGO’ collection come from? The collection explores the loss of identity and the process of shedding social masks. How personal is this project for you as a designer?
The idea for the ‘EGO’ collection arose primarily from a process of introspection and reflection on my own journey – both in life and in my creative work. At some point, I began to wonder how many roles and masks we take on in our daily lives, often conforming to the expectations of those around us. It is a very personal and intimate project. – Oliwia Jankowska
During the show, there were subtle references to the film Interstellar. Was this a deliberate choice, and what inspired you to incorporate that theme into the narrative of the collection?
There is indeed a subtle reference to the film Interstellar, which is one of my favorites and which moved me deeply. It’s an incredibly beautiful yet also very intense and powerful story, which is why it naturally became a source of inspiration for me. However, it’s not a direct or literal narrative tied to the collection. Rather, I treat it as a loose emotional and symbolic inspiration. What I find particularly interesting in the film is the theme of the main character’s determination – his willingness to take enormous risks and follow his inner impulse, dream, or sense of mission, even if it involves a certain kind of self-destruction or immense sacrifice. This motif of inner tension, pushing boundaries and following one’s own path resonates, in a certain way, with the idea behind the collection.
Your designs have an almost cosmic, futuristic quality. Was this a conscious choice and what role does it play in the narrative of identity?
I think the collection’s aesthetic has a certain futuristic, even cosmic feel at times. This was partly a deliberate visual choice, but it also largely stemmed from the intuition and emotions that accompanied the creative process. The collection came together very subconsciously – many design decisions arose spontaneously, as a natural response to what I was feeling at the time and wanted to express through form.
The design process was very emotional and intuitive for me. I wanted to test my limits, see where this direction would take me and how far I could push myself while experimenting with form and aesthetics.
Is there one piece in this collection that particularly captures its emotional essence?
Yes, the collection features a silhouette in silvery-gold tones that is particularly close to my heart and, in a way, best captures the emotional core of the entire project. The shape of this silhouette evokes a cocoon – a symbolic shell that we wear and, at some point, are ready to shed.
For me, it is a metaphor for the process of transformation and rebirth. Throughout our lives, we repeatedly go through stages in which we create a protective layer around ourselves, build our identity, or take on specific roles. Over time, however, we reach a point where we no longer need this shell and shed it to make room for something new. That is why this silhouette symbolizes constant transformation – a process that never truly ends.
What are your next steps after this show? Do you plan to expand the brand into retail, or are you thinking about opening your own showroom in the future, perhaps in Warsaw or Cracow?
One of my immediate goals is definitely to present this show again. I feel that I wasn’t able to show everything exactly as I had imagined it. The concept involved a gradual transition from heavier silhouettes to increasingly lighter ones – a symbolic process in which the growing ‘cocoon’ is shed at a certain point and the subsequent silhouettes become more and more subtle and light. Unfortunately, since this was my first show and there was a lot of organizational chaos, I wasn’t able to fully convey this narrative. That’s why I would very much like to recreate the show and refine it so that its rhythm, atmosphere and soundscape are exactly as I envision them.
As for my future plans, I’m also thinking about launching my own brand under my name someday. I’d like to develop artistic projects while also creating items that can be used in everyday life. However, I’m aware that building a brand is a long and demanding process. That’s why, at this stage, I’d like to continue gaining experience and developing myself through various courses and collaborations with others, in order to test my capabilities and strengthen my position in the industry. Ultimately, though, I would very much like to run my own brand and have full control over what I want to convey through my work and projects.
What are you currently working on and what can we expect from your future projects?
The entire collection is made of silk, a fabric that is very close to my heart. In the future, I would like to focus largely on such fine fabrics. I have immense respect for them and greatly value their character, which is why I want to continue creating designs with them, perhaps pieces that are more practical and suitable for everyday wear, while still maintaining this aesthetic.
At the same time, it’s important to me that every piece I create has an artistic element. My approach to fashion is deeply rooted in art – I view fashion as a form of art. That is why I want every garment to carry at least a fragment of this artistic expression and to be something that can move the viewer. Ultimately, I would like to build my brand step by step as a very personal project that reflects me as a creator, while also allowing me to continue growing in fashion and treating it as a form of art.
Photographer: Maksymilian Gwizdała
Model: Eliza Pylypchak
Makeup and hair: Vladyslav Murarash, Aksinnia Chyrvonets
The interview was conducted by Daria Diemidova
