Jivika Biervliet teamed up again with jewelry designer Peter Hsieh for the presentation of her new collection at FASHIONCLASH Festival.For this collection Jivika was inspired by her my Indian roots, translating it into daring color palette, drapings, silhouettes and styling.
Q&A with Jivika Biervliet
When did you realise you wanted to be a fashion designer?
It actually happened very accidentally. When I was 18 I subscribed for an art contest and chose to design a fashion collection while I had never designed anything. So I just did it and teached myself really quickly how to sew, and then I won (it was a really bad collection). After that I did and entrance exam at the HKU and in 2010 I graduated in the course Fashion Communication. Right after that I started to focus on menswear.
In what projects are you involved at this moment? It's something really cool and such a big honor. Ruben, the shoe designer I'd worked together with for FASHIONCLASH Festival 2015 edition, asked me to design his wedding suit. He's going to marry in September!
How would you define fashion?I believe fashion is about freedom, it's a way to express ourselves without words
Who are your artistic influences or inspirations and why?
I always listen to hiphop, the whole day, every day, so I believe this influences me because it brings me in the right mood.
Finding your own voice is difficult, where and how do you find your personal creativity (before you start designing; during the design process)?
It happens in my head and starts with a feeling which I want to share and just start. And I really need to be alone during the start so I can work from my intuition.
What challenges did you face during the design process? Working with colors!
Most of the times I work with black. I also always wear black and think in black silhouettes so it was quite a challenge to do this differently. I started with not wearing black. People who know me and saw me walking with all these colors got confused, haha
What do you want to communicate with your designs in general? No rules
Can you tell something about the collection you presented at the FASHIONCLASH Festival? This time I will collaborate again with jewelry/accessory designer Peter Hsieh, we have also worked together for the 2015 edition. It will be colorfull and shiny, with Indian influences.
Why have you decided to participate again at FASHIONCLASH Festival?
Because it's always too much fun, it's inspiring and they offer us many opportunities. This is the fifth time I participate at FCF, third time with a show.
What can we expect from you at the festival?Men, colors and good vibes!
Can you tell us something about your heritage?
My parents are from Suriname, my mother has Indian roots and my father is completely mixed. I am raised with Hinduism and Catholicism and believe everything is on.
How is the theme Heritage related to your work (can be also preferred to previous work)?
For this collection I was inspired by my Indian roots, you can find this back in the colors, the drapings, the silhouettes and the styling.
If you could trade your heritage, for what would you trade it?
I wouldn't trade it, I appreciate it that I'm raised with different cultures. I think this is also a great thing from The Netherlands, that so many different cultures are living together in such a small country. Only thing which I think it's really sad, that there is still not acceptance everywhere between these cultures, while we can learn so much from each other.
What’s a standard day for you?
Get up at 7:15, meditate in bed, open my curtains backwards with one eye open, pray, drink coffee, turn on the music, work, and ending the day with a yoga class.Vegan, vegetarian, healthy diet or any food will do?
Vegetarian.
What’s your favourite song, food and movie at the moment?
All time favourite song: D'Angelo - Cruisin', this is also my alarm to wake up.
Favourite food: Chocolate sorbet ice cream.
Favourite Movie: E.T. & Gone Girl.
What is your bad habit?
I can miss people very badly, it can be so bad that I dream about someone every night for months.
What’s your favourite city? Amsterdam, because my sister and her kids live there.
What/Who do you miss the most when you are not at home?
My family, friends and the yoga classes.
Read more about Jivika and her brand: http://www.jivikabiervliet.com
All images Team Peter Stigter
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