DESIGNER PROFILE – Larisa Yarmolinets
StylePortfolios.com is proud to feature Larisa Yarmolinets as this week’s Featured Designer…
What is your employment status?
LY: Freelance/Independent consultant
What is your official job title?
LY: Design Director
Please summarize your professional career in 1 to 3 sentences; what should everyone know about you?
LY: I started as a theatrical costume designer, then switch to contemporary womenswear, and when we moved to New York fell in love with childrenswear.
Describe what you do?
LY: Observing and analyzing fashion is my daily routine. Based on the project that I involved in, I set up trend reports, print and color direction, design products, and technical packages.
Why did you choose to be a designer?
LY: I was lucky to have a mentor. He knew that I loved to draw and recommended me to take a look at College of Theatrical Art and Stage Design. It clicked and gave me direction for my future.
What steps did you take to become a designer?
LY: After school, I enrolled in Odessa College of Theatrical Art and Stage Design. I took a year of Stage design courses and then transferred to Costume design. Classes included classic painting and drawing, history of art, fashion and theater, contemporary design, historical costume design, textile design, sewing, pattern making, etc. It was very intense studies, but a lot of fun.
What is the best/most challenging part of your job?
LY: The best part is the opportunity to create. Most challenging – not to go with the flow.
If you weren’t a designer what would you be?
LY: Personal shopper.
What do you like about what you do?
LY: The best thing is to see someone wearing your design.
What’s a common misconception people have about what you do?
LY: People usually think that we just draw pretty pictures. To create a line involves a lot of hard work and knowledge. You have to understand the market and your customers, You need to have strong technical expertise, and be a great team player. And of course, have a strong vision that will not be lost in the process.
What sparked your interest in design?
LY: I always appreciated beauty and art. For me this is the base of any kind of design.
How has your work evolved since you began your career?
LY: In the last several decades computers dramatically changed the way we design. We are getting much more information; computer programs help to produce more. So we have to think differently.
Are there any types of clothing/footwear/accessories that you avoid wearing?
LY: Anything of a bad quality.
What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed into your work?
LY: I started taking more pictures, specifically micro-texture. It gives me a lot of inspiration for textile surface ideas.
What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your career?
LY: Don’t be afraid to start all over again.
What advice would you give to young designers?
LY: Find your point of view and believe in yourself.
Are you superstitious or do you have any rules you live by?
LY: Be honest with yourself.
What’s your motto?
LY: Never be afraid of change.
Accomplished creative fashion designer with extensive experience in apparel. Strong analytical global trend research. Innovative brand development from concept to final product. Elevated taste level and color sense.