KONY by Marija Janosevic

Introduction to Serbian designer Marija Janošević and her label KONY.
She presented her playful and fresh collection 'KONY MIAMI' during FASHIONCLASH Festival.

What inspires you in general? Love, Life, Passion.

What is it like to be a young designer in your city/country? It’s like you are all alone.

What attracts you about the FASHIONCLASH platform? The lights, the camera, the opportunity…everything.

What is the concept behind your latest collection? ACCEPTING differences, anxiety, origins, love, vulnerability.
LIFE full of surprises, inspiration and creation.
COLORS of Sun and Space, Earth and Heaven, and Joy and Divine.

Your brand is called KONY. Where does the name come from? 
Well, first of all, Seapunk is something typically American, it comes from NYC. There is a large Italian population there. Italian traditions and mentality have influenced and changed the cultural frameworks along the East Coast of the USA. Now we come to the name of my brand. The name KONY is very important for that part of America; Connie Francis, Connie Corleone, Coney Island…For me KONY is the symbol of everything Italian on the East Coast.

Your collection is called KONY MIAMI. What inspired you for this collection?
The initial inspiration was the Seapunk movement, it provided the first impulse. Seapunk is not the subtext of the entire collection. There is no direct conceptual commenting or referring to it. But indeed, the Seapunk movement influenced the collection a lot, both on conscious and unconscious levels.
Furthermore, I was inspired by my childhood. I was connected to the sun, pools, sea, strong and warm colours. All of these are elements of the West Coast. Think of Florida, a sunny state and the capital Miami, which is the city of extremes, clichés, and excitement, hence KONY MIAMI.

Can you remember the first piece you designed? A tuxedo.

What on your playlist when you are working? ARTPOP.

Who is your favourite fashion designer?
Stella McCartney, Miuccia Prada, and Humberto Leon and Carol Lim.

What is your definition of style? To be yourself as much as you can.

What has been the greatest experience in your career so far? Getting selected for the FASHIONCLASH Festival.

What can we expect from you in the future? 
To change the world.

KONY's Pinterest page and Facebook page