Modern women of fashion have long been guided by their brand when choosing clothes. The most popular of them belong to foreign manufacturers. It just so happened. The post-Soviet space cannot boast of a large number of high-quality clothing manufacturers and eminent designers. However, sales do not always indicate a high level of product. Therefore, Russia also has, although few designers, but very talented ones who put their soul into their work. A bright representative of the fashion industry is Ekaterina Smolina, who has already managed to win the hearts of many women with her original decisions in the creation of clothes.
Life path
Very few facts are known from the life of this designer. Basically, all interviews with her are on the subject of the brand and the history of its creation. But fans of the talent of our heroine are so interested in her biography. Ekaterina Smolina grew up in a family of doctors. Since childhood, Catherine was fond of sewing, creating clothes for her dolls. After leaving school, she entered medical university, following in the footsteps of her parents. When she already had a diploma in her hands, Catherine again plunged into her dream - to become a designer.
Brand Creation and Development
Designer Ekaterina Smolina understood that to start a business, you need start-up capital and a supply of strength. Therefore, her reliable ally was Julia Karginova. The amount that was initially invested in the business was only 40 thousand rubles. So since 2004, the Fashion House of Ekaterina Smolina was created. Girls decided to specialize their design activities specifically on women's coats. Such an idea is rare in its own way, since a minority of fashion industry workers choose a narrow direction in their activity, creating a certain wardrobe item. Just this decision became the trump card that played into the hands of the brand.
Ekaterina Smolina and her partner at the very beginning of their activities used as much as possible only their own labor. Having created the first products of her talent, the girls decided to sell them. They turned to the shops, where they brought their creations. But here the designers suffered a series of failures. As it turned out, their sketches were stolen. Things on them were already sewn by someone else. Coat Ekaterina Smolina created original, unlike other models. The first copy was red, the style emphasized the figure. The coat was embroidered with beads. And here is such a failure. But the strength and endurance of young talents helped to resist unpleasant factors. They decided to sell their coats with their own hands.
Saving on delivery, the girls carried the materials themselves in minibuses. They made buttons at home, the whole family sat over sorting beads. The first coat was sold for 14 thousand rubles. This event has become an inspiration for designers. They rushed to work with renewed vigor.
A new idea was the desire to produce not only a coat, but also such a wardrobe item as a jacket. This time also Catherine Smolina was faced with theft of sketches.
And finally, there was a dramatic turn in activity. The girls hired two tailors and one instructor, rented a room, bought two sewing machines and started their own production. It was 2005.
Brand popularity
Coat Catherine Smolina invented and created elegant, high-quality and unusual. Only natural fabrics were used. Outerwear was stitched in an original and high quality. The color palette was distinguished by its luxury and conciseness (the models were classic, pleasant, traditional colors: black, white, red, warm beige, coral tones). The first batch was sold at the exhibition - 15 coats for 75 thousand rubles. From that moment, outerwear from Catherine became famous in St. Petersburg.
Ekaterina Smolina and Yulia Karginova actively distributed their coats in stores, and later began to sell products by mail. In 2007, they took part in the fashion show "Defile on the Neva." Realizing the demand for her coat, Catherine decides to open her own store. It took 2 years. In 2009, St. Petersburg was replenished with a clothing store from Smolina. And in 2011, a boutique was opened in Moscow.
Features of a coat from Ekaterina Smolina
Smolina’s coat is called the “top dress”. And not in vain. The silhouette is always feminine, it emphasizes the figure, looks graceful and elegant. The decor uses various elements that make the coat exclusive. Fabrics use natural and high quality. Colors are chosen noble, classic, delicate. Actively used fur for insulated coats. Fancy cut, pleats and other design decisions cannot go unnoticed.
Ekaterina Smolina substantiated her sphere of interests (women's coats) by the fact that, like any resident of St. Petersburg, she understands how the damp weather in the city affects the wardrobe. Layering saves from the cold, but does not make a woman elegant. Therefore, Catherine decided to take up the production of outerwear. The collection includes summer light models, demi-season, and warm winter coats. They are decorated with lace, interesting buttons, knitted brooches, leather straps.
Other wardrobe items designed by the designer
Ekaterina Smolina previously specialized only in the creation of coats. Currently, fashion collections include vests and light blouses, skirts, dresses, trousers, shoes and bags. You can find velvet or floral print sneakers. There are bags with fringe, chains, presented in classic black and delicate spring colors (turquoise, pink, light yellow and others). You can also purchase vests with perforations, comfortable models with a voluminous collar or a classic cut. Business-style summer and warm skirts , with perforations and trendy floral designs, asymmetrical edges, are also represented by this brand. Now you can buy blouses and shirts with voluminous bows, brooches in the shape of flowers in tones of airy and delicate. Cozy, elegant dresses in classic and noble shades have earned the attention of many representatives of the fair sex.
Fashion tips from Ekaterina Smolina
This designer does not follow all fashion trends. Catherine repeatedly mentioned in an interview that not all trends can favorably emphasize a female silhouette. Therefore, for her, the criterion of good taste and style is exclusively femininity. Instead of changing his wardrobe with every fashion show, Smolina recommends stocking up only with accessories: gloves, straps, bags, jewelry, brooches, shawls, hats. Catherine believes that these items can not only emphasize individuality, but also significantly refresh the wardrobe of any woman.