We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative VIKTORIA MARCHEV ("VM").
Viktoria Marchev Hungarian native New-York based fashion designer launched her brand mainly focusing on women’s swimwear. Since 2014 she has been experimenting with new technologies and she has created molded pieces of silicone rubber, a versatile material, which supports her sci-fi ambience concepts. The original concept of switching from textile based materials to liquid silicone rubber was to minimize waste during the creative process. The casting-molding-pouring technology requires detailed design but allows more precise definition of the necessary material amount. The liquid substance allows the artist to accurately calculate the fluid ounces and make it all part of the final artwork. This technology also resonates with multiple important features the designer considers to important in her designs, including but not limited to 3D patterns, uniquely designed garments, the possibility of mass production with high level of accuracy, flexibility and structure simultaneously.
VIKTORIA MARCHEV Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by VIKTORIA MARCHEV.
VIKTORIA MARCHEV Design - SS2019 Splash Silicone Rubber Clothing Fashion Apparel
Designer Interview of VIKTORIA MARCHEV:
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
VM : My design studio, which consists of me is focused on creating sustainable design solutions for women's clothing. Originally started out with swimwear, then shifted to new technologies, working with fabrics that have a lot in common with traditional swimwear fabrics, but bring other benefits too: less waste, easy cleaning, one by one production for unique patterns, 3D patterns, possibility of mass production, if necessary.
DI: What is "design" for you?
VM : I will approach it a few different ways. Design is a mean of self-expression to me. A platform where I can fully be myself and "say" things I wouldn't dare to in everyday conversations, being as shy as I am. At the same time design is a meticulous process where you imagine everything ahead of time, so when it gets to the physical manifestation of it, you don't have to think just do. I learnt this approach during my studies in Architecture, that the more you think ahead, the faster the implementation will be.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
VM : Swimwear and out of the ordinary looks for stage and occasions.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
VM : I cherish all of them as they all have their own personal story, as I mentioned above design for me is self-expression and as such they all represent an era in my life. However if I really need to choose one, I will choose the yellow silicone dress from the collection S/S 2019 'SPLASH', as this was the biggest challenge to make, and besides the design process, it required a lot of physical strength too, so overall I am brave to say that this was the piece I put the most effort in throughout the years.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
VM : I mostly work for myself creating my collections, however I have had an interesting project in recent years to design for the Museum of Science Fiction in Washington, DC. . It was back in 2021 for an on-line exhibition to introduce their audience that mostly consists of science-fiction enthusiasts to the concept of silicone, and its importance. So I created a capsule collection of 3 pieces, where each of them would reflect some of my earlier works and at the same time would emphasize one important feature of this exciting material, therefore I made a piece that represents the following qualities: waterproofness, 3D patterns, integrity. You can read more about this project at the following link: