Romanian designer

Marina Moldovan

Dead chickens, nude overalls and a print inspired by the dreams of her mother.  All feature in the eclectic, and often whimsical, designs of flourishing new designer Marina Moldovan.  Born in Romania to a plastic artist father and a graphic designer mother, Marina’s childhood heavily inspires her creations. After completing Graphic Design at the University of Arts, Marina realised she didn’t like it as much as she liked fashion so started designing her own clothes.  Her pieces are characterized by their dramatic cuts in interesting places, such as the neck, leg and shoulders and the use of striking prints.

How did you start designing clothes?

Well, I have always been into clothes, so three and a half years ago my close friend Andreea and I started drawing some interesting, sexy girls. Then the first thing that went through our heads (as it would through anyone’s) was to print them on T-shirts. So we made a small collection of T-shirts, transformed by prints. Right after this, she left to study abroad and I got left behind to sell the T-shirts and to find out what to do next. So I started on my own. I moved to a mini, cozy apartment. Everything I do is small: the quantity of fabric is tiny, my studio is petite; I don’t want to do anything BIG.

How did you come up with the name Quick Brown Fox?

Before I decided to make clothes, I studied graphic design at the University of Arts. I wanted to have my own website but was less than thrilled by the prospect of calling it ‘Marina Moldovan’.

Working in graphic design meant working with a lot of fonts and one of them was called “the quick brown fox”, I got the idea from there and somehow it stuck.  Furthermore, I feel that foxes have an especially appealing personality.

Your clothes are rather deconstructive. Do you cut them in certain areas you want to expose more or because they are visually more pleasing?

Definitely.  For example: I’ve replaced the fox collar with a chicken collar, and there is a story behind this idea! The whole collection revolves around the concept that the chicken is a victim but that the fox was a victim at some point too. I know it sounds ridiculous but it makes sense in my head! The chicken has cuts at its neck, on its legs and on its shoulders. All the pieces are cut in these areas. I didn’t want anything to be overdone, I only wanted it to be an artist’s signature. It’s my description as a designer and I did it all myself from scratch.

Even sewing?

Except for sewing and the pattern, which are crafts in themselves. I got lucky and accidently found Mrs. Theresa, (I call her Mother Theresa), a very good seamstress who helps me.  She’s amazing and has invaluable experience. Plus she understands and likes my ideas, which is very important! But all the prints are mine: the print on the collar, the rose, everything except the print with small chicken; that belongs to my mother.

What about the advertising? It seems like you’ve taken care of that as well.

I have. It’s fun, maybe a bit kitsch, but it’s a hilarious way of trying to translate what I want to say. Actually, I cannot even put it into words. I don’t want my clothes to be anywhere close to artistically challenging, I just want people to have a look at them and say: ‘Hey! This is a funny idea! I like it! I’ll buy it!’ Why else would you buy a jacket with a dead chicken printed on it?

The clothes are funny, ironic…talk us through your inspiration

They’re related to traditional Romanian tales, they are part of my childhood. This collection is very personal and my goal is not to make myself understood. But I do hope some people like my clothes!

What other designers do you look up to?

I look up to very young British and Belgian designers. Mainly Belgian ones, they’re very talented! I admire some of them more than bigger couture houses or famous designers.

You’re clothes can be purchased at Cochet Image Store. Your display there is rather ironic and related to the Romanian background.

The fox-chicken story relates somehow to this area, to Romania. In Eastern Europe you’re either a business-man and make clothes that sell or you’re an artist, a designer, who does what they like but with very little fame. They’re very few people like this in Romania. I don’t want to make pretty, commercial clothes. What usually sells here are clothes that have no concept, no idea behind them. For some that may be fine but it doesn’t represent me.

What’s the story behind your latest dresses, the orchid printed ones?

This will probably sound childish but my mother, who’s a magnificent graphic designer, had a dream about an orchid. So I told her she should draw the orchid and I would make some clothes that will sustain her design. I wanted to make a small collection only with her drawings. Of course, it turned out to be rather hard to come to grips with the ideas of another person. But I liked the result, especially the orchid print.

Do you structure your collections per seasons or trends?

No, I don’t. The viewers are not my target and I don’t follow trends, there is something false about it all. So I show my collection as an artist would their exhibition, which works out fine as they’re not commercial. The summer collection is more wearable though, the dresses are suited for girls that maybe want a slightly different look. As for the winter collection, I have some ideas which I’ll start working on soon.

Alexandra Aninoiu

this article has been published in ++AUS magazine: http://hausdigital.com