INSPIRED BY AN ICONIC EARLY 20TH CENTURY MASTER PLEATER, TWO PARTNERS LAUNCH A LINE WITH COMPLEMENTARY FORWARD AND BACKWARD GLANCES

BY HUNT ETHRIDGE

An innovative, LA based company launched by two friends, Shushan Szakolezay and Jasmina Hadzimujagic, Delfi Collective takes prides not only in its canny eye for trend for ward design, to be sure, but also in being unafraid to honor classic silhouettes. The house takes a number of cues from the styles of the early years of the 20th century, for example, such as the Delphos Gown, a finely pleated dress created in 1907 by master pleater and designer Mariano Fortuny, who, though Spanish, spent his adult life and career in Venice. His work was nothing less than a revolution for the tightly corseted woman of the time, and the Delfi name is inspired by Fortuny’s gown and the sea change it created. The partners are also quick to add that their lines are ethically produced, a consideration they deem vital to both economic and planetary survival.

We got a chance to catch up with Szakolezay and Hadzimujagic to see what was happening now and in the future with one of the coolest new So-Cal brands we know.

INDUSTRY: You’ve got so many cool pieces. What would you say is your favorite?

DC: Oh, the Lauren skirt from our holiday 2017 collection. We are always inspired by interesting textures and materials that normally are not used for clothing. This season, for example, we used iridescent metallic materials to pleat into feminine shapes. We want to create clothes that make women feel beautiful but are fun and bold at the same time

INDUSTRY: What is the most unique material you’ve used?

DC: Recently we have been experimenting with an array of holographic materials that we pleat, print, and manipulate into interesting sculptural shapes.

DC: We both admire designers in different ways. One we draw inspiration from is Hussein Chalayan. His innovative use of materials and experimental designs have been such an inspiration.

INDUSTRY: Where can people and your collection?

DC: We’re sold in a variety of small boutiques as well as large retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Shopbop.

INDUSTRY: How do you get inspired?

DC: We love art and design both fuel our inspiration.

INDUSTRY: Any advice for young designers?

DC: Absolutely always have an individual voice. Get inspired by trends, but don’t be a slave to them.