Dora Mojzes, left

I had the amazing honor of interviewing rising fashion designer superstar Dora Mojzes! A Hungarian designer whose creativity is extremely refreshing, whose talent is outstanding, and whose accomplishments make the designer in us all envious. Having recently been featured a Marie Claire fashion show, Dora’s collection really caught my eyes and was an instant hit with me.

But more than that, Dora’s versatility and willingness to change up her style is really admirable. As a fashion designer, I know how hard it is to venture into a new style. It’s a huge risk to leave behind a style you’re good at and comfortable with. However, Dora jumped in with both feet by creating a 2009 collection that’s different from her 2008 collection while still retaining fundamental design themes, such as her dedication to the idealized female figure and futurism.

But before we go into the interview, let me show you some of her pieces from her original 2008 collection I fell in love with. [With the exception of the first picture, Photo: Mark Viszlay(www.markviszlay.com)  Hair: Tamas Tuzes -Hairclub team Make up: Richard Fazekas Model: Bianca-Icon]

Photo:Madame Peripetie (www.madameperipetie.com)

Here is her current 2009 collection, which takes on quite a different approach to her first collection [Image Credits:Photo: Mark Viszlay(www.markviszlay.com)  Hair: Tamas Tuzes -Hairclub team Make up: Richard Fazekas Model: Bianca-Icon]

Now that you’ve gotten a taste of this designer, let’s get into the meat of the interview:

1. Your vision is to create the image of an ideal woman and using clothing as a vehicle towards the reflection of the emotions and attitude of that individual. Can you explain how your new collection, inspired by the likes of David Bowie, Grace Jones, and Blondie’s, achieves this?

The collection is based on an 80’s style, inspired by people such as David Bowie, Grace Jones and Blondie, with a futursitc twist. Sci-fi has always been interested me. Much of the emphasis has been placed on the shoulders, as well as highlighting a small waist to maintain the ideal female figure, which has always been the basis for my work. I used 2 different shaped shoulder pads.The shoulder pad is a typical 80’s shape. In the 2009 collection, the colour black and gold was used combined with pink linings. I like to use matte and shiny surfaces together. The main material which gave the basis for the collection was sequin tulle. The playful glitter helps to break the stiff silhouettes.

2. The shift from a military and darker vision to this more pop-tastic, shiny, sequin-phillic collection is very different. I love a designer who’s willing to constantly change artistic vision and surprise her audience. I think you’ve done that right here. But, I wonder how you came to this new vision. Can you explain why you choose this theme for the new collection?

Actually, the darker nature of my 2008 collection is stylistically closer to me than the use of flashy colours. And while I love the dark side, everyone is doing it. I see dark colors from lots of designer and this is why I wanted to change things up a little bit! And I’ve always wanted to make something new, so this was a challenge for me. Lastly, I wanted to make something wearable! While I loved the artistic nature of fashion present in my 2008 collection, I can’t earn enough money with that. I need to create more viable, ready-to-wear pieces that the general consumer will wear.

3. Futurism is a common theme linking your works. Can you explain futurism’s significance to you?

Good question. Futurism is all about the expansion of creativity into something unique and unusual.This is why one of my favorite artists is H.R.Giger. His creativity and vision of what could be resulted in the creation of his own world! Besides this, I was always interested in sci-fi movies/books, and the notion of the supernatural. The future is mysterious.

4. HG Wells or Issac Assimov?

Wells. One of my favourite novels is the War of the Worlds!

5. I noticed that you worked at Alter and Kiss from 2008 to 2009. Were you working on your own collection during this time? If so, how was balancing designing your own collection with that of another firm’s?

When I was working at Alter and Kiss, I only did that. When I finished that,  I started to build my own collection.So basically the Dora Mojzes as a brand just began in 2009. This is because I just now found an investor. She has really helped me a lot. She is doing the business part while I do the creative part.

6. You designed the clothing for a PSP game, Mytran Wars. Can you explain this in more detail? Did you make the clothing for the entire game or only the real-life characters during cut scene videos? How was this project?

Interestingly enough, I got this job only at the last minute. One of the team members for the game, who was Hungarian, asked me to advise them on clothing for certain cut scenes of the game. My clothing appears on the introduction video in the live-action sequence.

7. What are your plans for the future? Do you plan to sell your clothing in boutiques, department stores, or in your own front? Speaking of which, how can I buy your clothing? Or is not for sale?

The items are already available at Catwalk and Retrock Deluxe in Budapest and in Ostblock in Zurich, or directly through me, custom-tailored for the buyer! Everybody can find me through my website!(www.doramojzes.com).

Future plans?I would like an own showroom but I’ll know more in the coming months as to whether or not it will come to fruition. But for now, I’m more focused on getting my collection into stores around the world.

And I’d like for the Doramojzes brand to expand, but I still have a lot of work to do before that. I’m just really happy now for all that I’ve been able to accomplish so far.

8. Anything else?

Just would like to share that I’m very glad that Cosmopolitan Magazine  nominated me for the “You are the best! 2009” award, and that I also got nominated from Glamour Magazine for another award!

Want more? Check out her website here.