SNM: Olesya, please tell us about yourself. When did you come with the idea of making bags?
Olesya Sakhro: I am inspired by the beauty of the ever-changing seasons in my country, Ukraine. I love to look at the beautiful rich colors of the Carpathian Mountains touched by the sunlight at different hours. I realized that I needed to find a powerful way to express this beauty. I immediately fell in love with embroidery. I wanted to use it to convey emotion, paint a character, tell a story. To create just one piece, it would take me half a year or even a whole year! My pieces require a lot of hard work and dedication, due to complicated threading techniques.
I was inspired by the paintings that were in the private collections of many famous people in the world, including designer Kenzo Tokada, Austrian Crown Prince Carl von Habsburg. Somehow, I suddenly realized that I wanted to embroider the front of the bag with different elements from the paintings I saw. Whether I would focus on one idea, a single moment of emotion or a single character, this was going to become my project.
SNM: Do your initial idea, the process and the end product differ a lot? After all, all your works are handmade?
Olesya Sakhro: I never know how the final product will look like. My folder of inspiration is full of pictures that I keep when I feel touched by something in them. Sometimes I look at them for inspiration, throw some of them out, reorganize them. Some drawings I create have lived in my head for half a year, but I am not ready to start on them just yet. For example, my “Iris”. The pattern in this piece is very complex – over 70 colors and shades! I begin working on a piece like that when I am overflown with ideas. Sometimes when I start working on one piece, I leave it and start a new one. Even the final shape of the bag is not decided immediately, but rather in the process. The embroidery of one application on the bag lasts from about 1-2 and a half months, because all this work is manual. I am very demanding of myself, I think of myself as the master of tailored bags. I take my time to pick the shape of the bag, the accessories that will go with it, I pick the leather of the highest quality, and only use materials made in Italy.
SNM: The world of fashion tends to be very minimalist these days. More and more designers emerge that propagate this idea in fashion. How do trends affect you? Is minimalism an idea that is close to your heart?
Emerging Talents Milan Trade Show Pop Up
Olesya Sakhro: I like minimalism. It typically combines several pieces of clothing, combined by one idea or a theme. The beauty of my bags is that they will become a great decorative addition to any wardrobe. The simpler the clothes, the more the bags I create will stand out. My clients are very stylish, they aren’t affected by the fleeting trends in fashion. They love to create monochromatic looks and feature my bag as the centerpiece of their outfit.
SNM: You recently presented your collection at “Emerging Talents Milan Pop Up” / Presentation. Tell us about your experience.
Olesya Sakhro: I am very pleased to have been able to participate in the Milan show. Based on the reaction of the public I realized that my work had struck them. I’ve been part of many exhibitions in many fashionable cities like in Ukraine, Europe and Canada. I am used to having people admire my work. Nevertheless, since the audience in Milan has a sophisticated taste in fashion, I was happy to meet potential clients. After seeing the nuances of color in my embroidery, many couldn’t believe it was embroidery but thought it was a painting. Everyone wants to touch, stroke and feel the texture of the embroidery with their fingers. They also can’t believe that it’s the exact same embroidery on both sides of the bag. I was happy to see the enthusiastic looks of great fashionistas.
SNM: What tools do you use to promote your brand online and offline?
Olesya Sakhro: Today’s most powerful tool is the Internet. I have my own social media pages, which are very active. I have great interest from fashion show connoisseurs and agents, for which I am grateful for. There were times when very gregarious women with great financial resources would approach me, while carrying bags from world known brands. They would admire my bags, ready to buy them directly at the exhibition, without waiting for it to end.
I have great interest from the Ukrainian television, which has filmed my technique step by step, for which I have my own patent. I’ve received requests for interviews from foreign magazines and have been asked to do presentations.
I would like to say Thank you to all my fans, and everyone that pays attention to my creativity!
