My passion for fashion started when I was a child; I used to design and sew clothes for my dolls for entire afternoons. Growing up I decided to undertake artistic and fashion studies, indeed I started studying painting and decoration at the institute of art in Venice. After achieving my first degree as an art teacher, I completed my studies at the Academy of fine arts of Venice (Italy) achieving my degree in “decoration and painting”. During my studies I carried on my experimentation in the field of fashion, treating it as sculpture and employing new materials and fabric which were outside the boundaries of traditional fashion. My passion for gothic-Victorian fashion  and alternative outfits started in 2003 when I decided to move to London, to find myself in the right environment to pursue the achievement of my gothic, burlesque , alternative collection. The “BLACKMIRROR DESIGN” clothing line was born there in 2004.  My clothing line is the results of several influences combined and I always aim to be innovative when conceiving new designs.

How does an ordinary day look for you?
I spend most of the day working on my designs, from designing new pieces, through gathering the materials, all the way to sewing the actual piece together.

What inspires you to design your collections?
I draw my inspiration from several different sources. Historical costumes, modern photography or even movies and music can inspire my new creations.

Do you have any “alternative style icons” or people that inspire your designs? (or objects? eras? authors? etc)
I appreciate the work of Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier. I also love anything linked to the Victrian age.

Whats your favourite piece from your collections?
My favourite pieces are the Victorian collars. Besides the ones displayed on the website I have realized several unique collars and I appreciate how they can be customized according to the inspiration of the moment.

If you could design a piece for anyone, living or dead, who would that be? and what would that be – and why?
Even tough I normally design women clothes, I would be delighted to create something for David Bowie. I have always been fascinated by his style.

In you experience, what is the biggest challenge for an “alternative” fashion brand?
The biggest challenge is always to stay original, trying to stay ahead of the main trends.

 -and what is the biggest advantage?
Freedom is the biggest advantage. Designing alternative clothes represents a big opportunity to experiment at will with new materials and designs.

Can you tell me anything about any new collection, or any new things happening for Blackmirror Design? Do you have any exiting future plans?
I am experimenting with studs and leather. I am planning a line which would bring together Victorian, military and Glam rock.

Do you have a store somewhere except online? if so where can it be found?
I have a shop in London in the Camden Stables market (unit 404, basement area).
Visit Blackmirror Design’s online shop for elaborate & unique Gothic dreams.

She is based in Sweden but performing both in Europe and the United States at various events, festivals and clubs.

Swedish Siren is the March alternative pin-up because her love and commitment to burlesque creates one of the few opportunities to go out clubbing in this town (for someone picky like me) and she is so damn cute and hot in the same time, with a truly vivacious body & soul.

Enjoy:

Image source: Target Australia

Therefore I will be a bit slower then usual to respond to emails, new directory submissions and the vanity fix tweets while I get internet and, yes my house in order! I’ll be back  in a couple of weeks though