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Ekaterina SmolinaRussian designer
Country:
 Russia |
Content:
- Russian Designer Ekaterina Smolina
- The Beginning of a Fashion Business
- The Journey to Success
- Expansion and Own Production
- The First Collection and Recognition
- Establishing Own Stores
- Current Success
Russian Designer Ekaterina Smolina
Ekaterina Smolina is a modern Russian designer and the head of the Ekaterina Smolina Fashion House based in St. Petersburg. From a young age, Ekaterina had a passion for creating clothing. She would sew dresses for her dolls and later began sewing for herself. Growing up in a family of doctors, she initially pursued a medical career but eventually returned to her dream of creating fashion.
The Beginning of a Fashion Business
In 2004, Ekaterina Smolina and her friend Yulia Karginova decided to start a business together. They chose to specialize in women's coats and quickly created their first masterpiece - a beautiful red coat embellished with beads and uniquely stitched. However, despite their evident talent and desire for success, the business did not take off right away. They struggled to find a production facility and discovered that their coat designs had been stolen and replicated by others.
The Journey to Success
Undeterred, Ekaterina and Yulia decided to sell the coats themselves. They went from store to store, offering their first batch of products. When they sold their first coat for 14,000 rubles, it was a true celebration. Initially, they invested 40,000 rubles into their business, relying heavily on enthusiasm. They transported fabric rolls in minibusses, handcrafted buttons at home, and sorted beads as a family. However, their belief in their talent and success never wavered.
Expansion and Own Production
As the coats began to sell, Ekaterina and Yulia realized the need to expand their line and add new products like jackets. It became clear that to ensure timely production and prevent their designs from being stolen, they needed their own production facility. In 2005, they rented a small room in a factory building, purchased two sewing machines, and hired two seamstresses and one pattern maker. This marked the establishment of their own studio.
The First Collection and Recognition
During this time, they decided to create their first full collection of coats, which they later showcased at the "Fashion Industry" exhibition. From the booth at this exhibition, they sold 15 coats for 75,000 rubles. By 2006, a full-scale production was in operation, employing a team of professionals. Ekaterina Smolina's coats gained recognition in the city, and stores eagerly took them for sale. They also ventured into mail-order sales.
Establishing Own Stores
In 2007, Smolina and Karginova participated in the "Defile on Neva" fashion event. However, they soon realized that selling their coats to stores was not the most rewarding option. Unsold coats often returned damaged and dirty. Ekaterina desired her own store with its own energy and philosophy. In 2009, after nearly two years of preparation, their first store opened in St. Petersburg. In 2011, they opened a store in Moscow.
Current Success
Today, Ekaterina Smolina's Fashion House has become a significant workshop, employing approximately 150 people. They have also expanded their sales through online platforms, and the demand for their coats has gone beyond Russia. Every year, they introduce new models to their collection. Ekaterina Smolina and Yulia Karginova remain dedicated to their vision, saying, "Year after year, in painstaking work, creating new collections, we have remained true to one thing - coats!"
