One To Watch: Julia Korol

Ukraine-born and London based designer Julia Korol is one to add to your fashion radar for Spring Summer 2014. The Central Saint Martins graduate is wowing fashion insiders with her debut collection of fresh kaleidoscope prints. 

Julia's first collection debuted at Paris Fashion Week and mixed both fine art and eye-catching prints across a range of feminine day-to-evening dresses and skirts. Her philosophy is based on clean lines, perfect tailoring and structured designs made to flatter the female form. Cut out detailing is high on the agenda for SS14 with bare midriff panels hitting on-trend notes for the customers already obsessed with the crop top. Meanwhile there are plenty of fit-and-flare and body-con options available for fashion purists. 

The designer collaborated on her first collection with fashion exec Q Ladraa who will now head the brand's marketing and promotional activities. Price points currently range from £240 - £450 and the SS14 collection is available at juliakorol.co.uk with Harvey Nichols confirmed as a stockist for the AW14 line. 

Read my Q&A with Julia below: 

Q. The prints in the collection are really vivid and eye-catching - can you tell us a bit about where your inspiration comes from and how the process you go through from drawing board to getting them on to the garments?

A. My inspiration differs greatly from season to season. I look at every print as an art piece and I put a lot of thought into it. It’s a very personal process. I use a number of techniques and different materials including acrylic, ink, oil paints and so on. After I’ve completed a print, I transfer it digitally. The final step of the process is placing the print, ensuring that it connects and flows perfectly with the garment.

Q. Do you design with a particular woman or style icon in mind or is there anything you take into consideration when planning the fit and structure of each garment?

There are various muses old and new that constantly inspire me. Our shapes change seasonally, taking inspiration from the images. We have a few classic shapes that are our JK staples, that you’ll want to wear daily.

Q. Can you define the brand aesthetic in just a few words?

The SS14 dresses are edgy and feel great on the body. They can be worn day with Chelsea boots or night with a pair of chic high heals. The pieces are designed to make you feel confident and elegant.

Q. What's your favourite piece from the SS14 collection?

I’d have to say the V Neck Full Dress. Both that and the Leaves Scuba Dress, they really show the contours of your body and hold you in well.

Q. Lastly, what can customers expect from the AW14 collection?

 Autumn/Winter 2014 will have a great selection of new prints, however, we will introduce some plain styles as well. We have started to experiment with different elements, fabrics and components,  which is something we will continue to do for future seasons.