NONCONFORMITY AESTHETICS: INTERVIEW WITH SERGEI GRINKO

A trip through time to find the key concepts that give input to create something totally futuristic. In fact, if Pierre Cardin is the stylistic inspiration, the writer George Sand (born Aurore Lucile Dupin Amantine in 1804, en) is the conceptual one. So Sergei Grinko presents a collection for next summer full of nonconformist meaning: strength and style, subjective beauty and rigorous charm.

When you started doing fashion you had already a clear idea about your project or, otherwise, you have developed your concept of fashion over time?

After graduating from St Martin’s in London and refinement at the Audult Westminster Academy for Arts, I worked as an assistant in a couture atelier in Dubai and, simultaneously, as an assistant, of Therry Mugler’s style-departement in London. This allowed me to make a great experience both in the field of Haute Couture and in ready-to-wear. In 2008, with my partner and also associate, Filippo Cocchetti, we decided to establish the Maison Grinko in Italy. Our design office is based in Brescia, where we realize the production of clothes and accessories that come in over ninety-five multi-brand stores around the world.

What are the differences, if there are, in designing clothes for men and women?

The approach is the same, whether it’s clothes men and women. The function of a suit is not only to cover but must make us feel more beautiful. From this concept, very important to me, was born my effort to offer season after season clothes that arouse strong emotions in those who wear them.

How do you draw your inspirations on a practical level?

Usually I start with a precise idea about the colors that I intend to bring in collection and from there develop the theme with a careful choice of fabrics and weights and mostly the volumes,which for my own personal vocation, should lead to a three-dimensional and never predictable stage.

What is your idea of modernity? As this flows into the final product?

For me what is contemporary is certainly what the woman and the man want but can not find because that product is not yet on the market. And this is what I always want to propose in my creations: a unique character and so you can distinguish.

At market level, where is Grinko placed?

Grinko is a so-called high-end brand that has, however, an approach with the price particularly attractive . Another highlight is the new “a-gender” line, GRINKOACTIVE, that in the last two seasons has been a great sales success in all multi-brand stores where the brand is present: from New York via Panama to Japan and also in the dedicated corner inside Palazzo Grifoni in Via Santo Spirito 17, in Milan.

Future projects?

The more imminent project, as for all designers of independent brands, is an opening, in a short, in Milan. A flag-ship store where we can fully express Grinko’s world.

sergeigrinko.com