Interview with Bianca Elgar

Bianca Elgar ("BE") interviewed on Thursday, 26 April.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

BE : I have a lifelong passion for art and textiles, as well as elegant versatile well-made clothes and accessories described in two words “Wearable Art”. To me, art is a form of self-expression, fashion and textile design are a type of art that’s every bit as important as good architecture, although clothing and accessories are more closely associated with our everyday lives. Beautiful and unique things have always inspired me, applying this to "luxury versatile fashion" has been the driving force to becoming a designer.

How did you become a designer?

BE : The idea for my business came when I relocated to Belgium for six months with my two teenage sons. With limited space I had to pack light and keepmy own clothing to a minimum. I decided on my favourite black basics, and a variety of bright scarves to dress them up with. Inspired by the opportunity of creating a variety of looks with just a few items, as well as showing off (scarf) prints in a new way, I decided to start my own fashion brand once back in the UK. I have always been artistic, andmy background in silk-screen printing saw me producing a range of soft furnishings for the home from my Oxford studio. I have studied upholstery and soft furnishing, made my own statement jewelry, as well as embarked on a textile design course. I am is now bringing this experience to my eponymous fashion brand. Established in 2015, the brand sets out to merge classic elegance and modern art, creating pieces that encourage the wearer to have fun with fashion. My accessories come in deeply vibrant colours and statement prints, whilst my clothing is made in neutral shades to allow for individual styling. The items are all heirlooms, designed and made to last for generations.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

BE : Life, Travel and Home.My first fashion collection was bold and colourful, inspired by the kimonos in The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford as beautiful on the inside as on the outside. Silk is such a beautiful an amazingly strong fabric. The kimonos are still in perfect condition and yet they are many many years old, they were my initial inspiration, although I added a twist of modern art to make them colourful and fun. The “Out of Africa Collection” draws inspiration from my trip to Marrakesh, I also love all the African artefacts in the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, the masks, shields, the beads and jewellery that are really important to African traditions, reminiscent of my time in Africa in my early twenties. When I went on a trip to Marrakesh all my earlier memories were triggered vividly. I came back with the idea for a series of scarves, which I called ‘Out of Africa’. Some of these, the ‘Beads’ collection, pays tribute to African jewellery and shields whilst the ‘Men’ designs draws inspiration from African masks and yet they’re modern with a fun twist. “The Language of Flowers” Collection, was inspired through a short break in Abu Dhabi and many visits to Oxford’s Botanical Gardens and the flowers there. Even the simplest flower can have such amazing colours, and many have a meaning culturally whether they represent love, passion or life.