Alena Oleynik and Kira Mazur: about the new collection for ao2, trends, fashion and style

The article was first published in Makeup&YOU Professional magazine.

Alena, tell us about your projects. How are they different from each other? A.O.: I have two projects: the design studio Oleynik studio and the ao2 brand. Oleynik studio is a creative team of developers that can generate, develop and implement an idea in clothing, installation or show for an individual, a brand or a company. Actually, the art installation for ao2 is an example of the studio’s development. We implement ideas comprehensively in three areas: clothing design, art installations and shows, photography and video shooting. ao2 is a clothing brand in the street fashion style, which carries the idea of personal uniqueness of a person. We say: find yourself, learn to be yourself and continue to look for new facets... The ao2 collections harmoniously combine innovative cut, functionality and variability. What is this new capsule collection for ao2? A.O.: Our collections always contain transformable items. This capsule is no exception: it has unique solutions. For example, a skirt that combines two different models, or half-tops in several colors - they can be worn either in a single color or by mixing halves of different colors with each other. The collection also includes reversible coats, vest-jackets with detachable sleeves, dresses and half-length jackets with multiple transformations. Every time we try to find some new solution in silhouette, cut, combination of fabrics, we work for a long time on each model, looking at it from different angles. And we always find something original and unique. Why did you use these particular shades and textures? A.O.: The basic colors of our brand are red, black and gray. I add other shades depending on the theme of the collection. This time we used a dark menthol color - I suspect it will be one of the most fashionable in the autumn-winter season - 2019-2020. We added a lot of quilted fabrics, with their help we created a special aesthetics of the images. It is this texture that gives the effect of segmentation, because each person combines many facets that merge into a holistic, unique personality, incomprehensible in its depth and essence. Therefore, the choice of these textures is a conceptual decision. Why did you choose the art installation format to present the collection? A.O.: I really love creating non-standard presentations of my collections. For example, last year we created a performance in collaboration with the ballet Freedom, directed by Lena Kolyadenko. I like to surprise and inspire, to provoke people to search for new facets. I love it when people leave me with sparkling eyes, with the desire to live and change. The art installation is a visual metaphor for the philosophy of the ao2 brand. Five different images, five entities with a human body, the heads of unearthly creatures, with streams instead of arms and legs, going into the ground. It shows the existence of two worlds in man: visible and hidden, human and divine, reminding of the main thing that in each of us there is a piece of the greatness of the world. There is always something to learn and develop in yourself, and this is an endless process. The art installation was opened by Kira Mazur. Why did she take part in the performance? A.O.: It is important for me to create something that will touch the strings of the soul, so the artist must be real, unique, capable of sending colonies of goosebumps through you, pumping you up and opening a new vision - this is exactly what I see as the meaning of the existence of creative people. I've been creating images for Kira for several years now, and I really like her work. That is why she became part of our little performance. Kira, you often appear in public in outfits designed by Alena Oleynik. What do you like most about her work? K.M.: Alena’s creativity as a designer has long impressed me, so we started working together in completely different directions. I choose her things because I really love her style - original and unlike anything else, but at the same time practical and comfortable. I am impressed by her work, so I gladly took part in the presentation of the collection. Your song has become her voice. Tell us why you like the new collection? K.M.: The new capsule is crazy things that are difficult to describe in words. I absolutely love such solutions, and you can see it in my outfits. (Laughs.) This is the first time I have agreed to participate in such a presentation of a collection; I have never performed like this before. To start singing in the middle of a crowd of people when no one is expecting it is amazing. I'm glad that everything turned out exactly as we expected, and maybe even better. I sang and removed the film from the mannequins, which symbolized the veil of ordinary thinking that we must get rid of. In order to see the greatness of the world and new facets in yourself. After such a symbolic opening, everyone was able to come up and take a closer look at these majestic images. Alena, what trends will rule the fashion world in 2019? A.O.: I think that designer collections will use a lot of new technologies and a new vision. Nowadays, the world is developing at a fast pace, and this requires more functional and practical solutions, but at the same time, creativity and uniqueness continue to be valued. In our collection, this idea is embodied in transformable items - models that imply from two to five options for use. It's convenient, practical and interesting at the same time. What guides you when creating your own clothing style? Do you like to follow the latest trends? A.O.: I follow my inner feelings more. But new trends are always interesting to me, because they are created by the most creative people. I try on trends for myself and also introduce them into my collections. K.M.: Despite the fact that I most often choose Alena’s clothes to create my style, I do not believe that fashion is an indicator of how you should look. You know, there is an expression: “Fashion is nothing, but style is everything.” For me, this means that solutions are born within, and not imposed by someone. Alena Oleynik is a designer whose clothes correspond to my vision. Which global designers inspire you? A.O.: I adore John Galliano, he is now the creative director at Maison Margiela. For me, he will always be a standard, because everything that he creates now, and everything that was created under his leadership at the house of Dior and John Galliano, is an incredible concentrate of creativity, design and stylistic solutions. For me, John Galliano is a god in the fashion world. Kira, you are not afraid to experiment with your appearance. What pushes you to try something new? K.M.: I just like to change. It's boring and ordinary for me to always remain the same. On the one hand, this is a constant experiment and search, and on the other hand, I live in it and express myself this way. What's your everyday makeup look? What do you like to focus on? K.M.: I like to focus most of all on the eyes. In everyday life, I don’t wear makeup at all, only when I have some events coming up, and they happen almost every day. (Laughs.) Depending on the type of event and the image I have in mind, I can do the makeup myself or turn to professional makeup artists. For example, today I have natural makeup, which I can create myself without any problems. And if I need to make beautiful smoky eyes, in this case I will turn to a specialist. A.O.: It all depends on the mood. (Smiles.) Most often, I choose tones that are close to natural shades, and put a little more emphasis on the eyes. But I love experiments and gladly surrender myself to the hands of professionals at photo shoots. And I also like to read your magazine to be aware of what else is new in the world of beauty and makeup. Photo: Artem Stupak Interviewed by Anastasia Buzdanova