The Fashion Chamber of Montenegro, led by Srđan Lubarda, has decided that this year's Blanc Fashion Week Montenegro event, instead of being held in the capital, will close in Budva, with a solo show by Serbian fashion designer Verica Rakočević.
As part of the last day of Montenegrin Fashion Week, officially called Ami Petrovac - Budva Fashion Day, last night, after the conclusion of the "Vijesti" pages, the Rakočević fashion show was held, which prepared the "My Way" collection for the occasion.
In an interview with "Vijesti" before the fashion show, Rakočević explained what models she had prepared for the Montenegrin audience, and she also spoke about her decision not to participate in fashion events or organize fashion shows.
"The spring/summer collection contains 30 outfits where we can see dresses and sets (skirts, pants, blouses). The materials I use for the summer collections are always three types of silk: muslin, taffeta, organza and satin, linen and viscose. This time, part of the collection is complemented by Marabou feathers," the fashion designer pointed out.
"Two beautiful women, Milena and Biljana, have complemented the collection with their unique handbags. Milena with rope handbags, and Biljana with evening bags with retro beagle handles. The entire visual identity is rounded off with gothic necklaces in contrast with soft, flowing dresses, as a metaphor for the duality of the perfect woman. The entire collection is accompanied by footwear," Rakočević continued.
"It is intended for a woman who finds herself in this creative expression, and it symbolizes strength and femininity," added the interviewee of "Vijesti".
Given that the name of the collection is "My Way", the question arises whether this means that the models are made absolutely in the manner of Verica Rakočević.
"For decades, I have not deviated from the design path that the famous professor at the Faculty of Fine Arts Anđelka Slijepčević initially took me on, which is why it is dedicated to her," she revealed.
"My decision to no longer create and participate in fashion shows in Serbia, and to present future collections outside the country, led to the first step being Montenegro, where I am always wonderfully received, where my work is valued, and where Srđan Lubarda always meets the criteria by which I work," Rakočević emphasized.
When asked whether it is more difficult to find inspiration after working for many years, after more than four decades in the fashion industry, or, on the contrary, he sees and finds it in everything, Rakočević says that the answer is in "a labor of love."
"When you have the privilege of working solely out of love, when that interaction between fashion and me is stronger, more powerful every day, then it's like a perfect marriage, you climb a spiritual ladder higher and there's never a lack of passion. And passion fuels inspiration and you see it in everything that surrounds you," concludes the fashion designer.
Although all the shows within Montenegro Fashion Week were held in Podgorica last week, only her collection will be shown in Budva, so Rakočević explains how this decision was made.
"As you probably know, I have only rarely participated in group shows (never in Serbia, except when it is a humanitarian event). For years, I have been trying to help Srđa Lubarda at Montenegro Fashion Week, primarily with my presence. I appreciate his professionalism, human honesty, enormous empathy and hard work to make this event a level that can, with the support of the state, eventually place Montenegro at an important place in European events," she believes.
"Now my condition was that it be an independent fashion show, and Srđa chose the location. I think the collection will gain its full beauty in that setting," added Rakočević.
Asked how much the general environment in which the fashion show is held affects the presentation of the collection itself, the Serbian fashion designer says:
"The most important thing is to create a good collection that, in any setting, leaves a strong impression and experience with the message it sends, with its aesthetics."
Rakočević could be seen in the company of her husband Veljko Kuzmančević, in the audience during the fourth day of Fashion Week in Podgorica, so she shared her impressions of her Montenegrin colleagues and revealed whether anyone in particular made an impression on her.
"I follow and support young designers both here and here. A generation of fantastic fashion artists has emerged who need a boost. Unfortunately, the positions are often taken by those in whose hands the financial power lies," claims Rakočević.
"I admire and respect Boris Ćalić and I think he is the pearl of Montenegrin fashion. At previous events, I have seen a lot of talented Montenegrin designers," she pointed out.
This year's Montenegrin Fashion Week opened with a model exhibition, and the inspiration for the fashion designers was Jelena Petrović Savojska.
The exhibition featured fashion designers Anastazija Miranović, Anđela Popović, Ana Mont Suevalova, Bojana Čelebić, Edita Nimanbegu, Ivana Murišić, Jelena Vratnica, Jelena Roganović Đurić, Lidija Burić, Marina Banović, Radojka Gardašević Tepavac, Sanela Đoković and Senka Tujković.
On the second day, called Tempus Fashion Day, collections were presented by Anja Radulović, fashion house XYZ, Hana Bihorac, students of the Fashion Design department at UDG, the SP Gentleman brand of Suzana and Predrag Murišić, Blanka Orlando and Timur Tursunkulov from Kazakhstan.
The third day was dedicated to the youngest, who, as part of the Kids Fashion Day, were able to see the lines of Ukrainian designer Vitalina Smitko (Vitalina for Kids), as well as models by Serbian designer Vedrana Milanović (Atelje Luccino). The UMS Talent School also participated, presenting a collection by the Italian fashion house Benetton, Kinder Kids Modeling.
On the following day, the fashion show, there were fashion shows by Marina Banović, Ana Vasiljević, the GAS brand, Ana Suevalova, Natalija Urbanova, as well as the French fashion house Pierre Cardin.
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