Lithuanian designer Robert Kalinkin is making a name for himself in the world of European fashion with his bold style and innovative, complex cuts. Having recently caused a fashion furore with the controversial ad campaign for his latest Spring/Summer 2013 line, Trendstop caught up with the designer for an exclusive interview.
TS: Sum up the Robert Kalinkin ethos.
RK: Being unique. My creative direction is a rigorous, militaristic form of complex, innovative cuts and textures, bright, bold details and a thoughtful asymmetry.
TS: What inspired your S/S13 collection?
RK: It’s an ode to the Northern Woman; very independent, busy and often travelling, but sexy and womanly too. I don’t like clothes that are untouchable pieces of art; the idea of this collection is to make it not only visually appealing, but also comfortable, long-lasting and wearable. All items are based on classic cuts, incorporating contemporary and edgy details.
TS: We were intrigued by the religious imagery and wording used in your S/S13 campaign – what’s the story there?
RK: It’s about playing with words; the phrase, “Jeeez, what kind of dress is that?” is something we use in our everyday language, so we decided to relate it to our ads. If God is everywhere, why can’t he be in our advertisements? [The ad] got quite a reaction here; there were protests, and now we’re handling a [potential court] case over “insulting feelings of religious people”. The main point was never about God, but the ads served us well – we had a sold-out show of 1200 seats and massive media coverage.
TS: What’s your message to the fashion industry?
RK: To emerging designers: if you’re good at what you do, eventually you have to make a living out of it. To the fashion-savvy: Choose what you wear with care – what you choose today will make an impact on tomorrow’s fashion. Isn’t that what Trendstop is also about? 
TS: What can we expect for A/W13?
RK: There will be a lot of warm coats, very structured and architectural – also shoes, warm yet stylish and suitable for slippery roads.