Modern fashionistas have long been guided by its 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 famous designers. However, the volume of sales does not always indicate a high level of the product. Therefore, Russia also has a few designers, but they are very talented, those 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 solutions in creating 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. From childhood, Ekaterina was fond of sewing, creating clothes for her dolls. After leaving school, she entered the medical university, following in the footsteps of her parents. When she already had a diploma in her hands, Ekaterina again plunged into her dream - to becomedesigner.
Creating and developing a brand
Designer Ekaterina Smolina understood that to start a business, you need start-up capital and a reserve of strength. Therefore, Yulia Karginova became her reliable colleague. 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. The girls decided to specialize their design activities specifically in women's coats. Such an idea is rare in its own way, since a minority of fashion workers choose a narrow direction in their activity, creating a certain piece of clothing. It was this decision that 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 only their own labor to the maximum. Having created the first products of their 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 own coats.
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 becomeinspiring for designers. They rushed to work with renewed vigor.
The new idea was the desire to produce not only a coat, but also such a wardrobe item as a jacket. This time also Ekaterina Smolina faced the theft of sketches.
And finally there was a cardinal turn in the 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
Ekaterina Smolina invented and created elegant, high-quality and unusual coats. Only natural fabrics were used. Stitched outerwear was 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 Ekaterina 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 Defile on the Neva fashion show. Realizing the demand for her coats, Ekaterina 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.
Coat Featuresfrom Ekaterina Smolina
Smolina's coat is called the "top dress". And not in vain. The silhouette is always feminine, it emphasizes the figure, looks elegant and elegant. The decor uses various elements that make the coat exclusive. Fabrics are natural and high quality. Colors are selected noble, classic, delicate. Fur is actively used for insulated coats. Whimsical cuts, folds and other design details can't go unnoticed.
Ekaterina Smolina substantiated her area of interest (women's coats) by the fact that she, like any resident of St. Petersburg, understands how 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 light summer 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 making coats. Currently, the fashion collections include vests, and light blouses, skirts, dresses, trousers, shoes and bags. You can find velvet or floral print sneakers. There are also 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, cozy models with a voluminous collar or a classic cut. Summer and warm business style skirts, withperforations and fashionable floral patterns, asymmetrical edges are also represented by this brand. Now you can buy blouses and shirts with voluminous bows, flower-shaped brooches in airy and delicate tones. Cozy, elegant dresses in classic and noble shades have earned the attention of many women.
Fashion tips from Ekaterina Smolina
This designer doesn't follow all the fashion trends. Ekaterina mentioned more than once 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 your wardrobe with every fashion show, Smolina recommends stocking up only with accessories: gloves, straps, bags, jewelry, brooches, scarves, hats. Catherine believes that these items can not only emphasize individuality, but also significantly refresh the wardrobe of any woman.
