Rosie

I studied and practice my profession within the borders of the European standard sizes 36, 38, 40. As I only do “one of a kind” pieces, I go with an instant feeling that decides which size the new garment will have. I like to create in-between sizes and in few occasions I go outside my limits and design a size 34 or 42. I am a keen and analytical learner, I take my time to learn, to improve and to develop my working skills and in the past 12 years I constantly focused on this process. Creating standard sizes that are not in my usual range (such as baby, curvy, petite or pregnancy) requires new abilities and investments. When I met my model Kirsten Mackay, I knew that it was about time to try to develop a new range of designs dedicated to women with curves. She is so beautiful, inspiring and natural! To my astonishment, I found out that she has it very difficult to find feminine, stylish and body caressing dresses and I then realized that we (dressmakers and fashion designers) learn at school on relatively small sizes, mostly EU 36 and 38. And, unfortunately, the mass media, advertising agencies, department stores etc. promote these “basic” looks.

“Retro size” is Kirsten’s notion to my new range, a definition that symbolizes femininity, glamour and understated vanity.

Rosie is my first collection from the "retro size" line and I feel that the result gives me the confidence to continue to create for ladies that love their curves and every millimeter of their physical and spiritual body.

Veşminte – Exhibition Video

My anniversary exhibition 12.10 – 21.10. 2016 was an unpredictable success; everyone involved in the project was absolutely wonderful (professional, valuable, focused), everything went smooth and delightful and our guests and casual visitors were absolutely lovely and supportive!

The Romanian Cultural Institute (the exhibition host and coordinator) organised evening events almost every day during my exhibition and I’ve been present at almost each of them. It was so relaxing and enriching...

I am delighted that I was offered the chance to produce a short video that captures some moments of the exhibition, so that we can keep the memories alive. I am thankful to Nils Neuer for his creativity in shooting and editing the video, his professionalism and patience and of course to all the partners and guests shown in the video: the Romanian Cultural Institute represented by vice director Mihaela Baston-Ciobanu, Dina Lee, Elham Pouladvand, Taro Ohmae, Erika Zormann, Charity Okuma, Sabrina Socaciu, Marina Istoc and little Leonardo.

Natural Bridal Beauty – English Rose Look

I was very happy and excited when Ellieline invited me to join her and video producer Nils Neuer to film the creation of a bridal look. As I was present that week at the gallery of my 10th anniversary exhibition I got the idea to make our project there! It was fun and delightful, it didn’t feel like work

I love how my silk flowers headpiece, top and skirt are complementing Sabrina's gorgeous hair & natural make-up.

Here is my first bridal beauty video:

Hair & make-up artist: Ellieline Make Up Artistry
Video: Nils Neuer
Model: Sabrina Socaciu
Location: Romanian Cultural Institute, Vienna

Veşminte – Exhibition Opening

On the evening of the 12th of October, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of my label with the opening of a jubilee exhibition. It was such a marvelous evening; I will remember it for the rest of my life! Many people came to show their appreciation, some even had to make a big effort to be present. But for everybody that visited I feel thankful and grateful. We had guests from Vienna, outside of the city and even from abroad. I can’t put into words how much I love the result of Veşminte exhibition, the project is the work of a small but tenacious team: the Romanian Cultural Institute in Vienna (a handful of professionals), portrait photographer Dina Lee, arhitect and make-up artist Valentina Burigo and my in-house model Ines (on the invitation card we cooperated with Elham Pouladvand and Ellina Sedova).

My designs are placed in the most fitting surroundings, an elegant old building that is home to the Romanian Cultural Institute; and Dina Lee’s artistic photographs are perfectly complementing the selected pieces that exemplify my work starting with 2006.

My First 10 Professional Years

In October 2006 I opened my atelier on Burggasse 29, 1070 Vienna. Without any moral or financial support. I was completely alone. My good friend Claudia, decided to share the space for a year, I sold my beloved Ford Fiesta and with a bag full of courage, naivety, determination, passion, hunger for knowledge and discovery, love for sewing, arts, craft - I began this journey.

10 years later and over 500 hand-made pieces, looking back, it feels like the time compressed in an abstract dimension with shades of bright light, white, rosé, grey, darkness... These 10 years have been highly challenging but also highly rewarding. It is exactly how I imagined my life to be. My atelier has become my life. Although the physical address changed, my atelier is my personal universe; a place where I feel free, independent, safe, creative, captivated, confident, sentimental... I love to work alone, so, the future will not change this aspect.

I am grateful that my profession is offering me the possibility to have material proof from the past; albeit it wasn’t easy to procure items from my early professional years, I will manage to bring to my anniversary exhibition pieces, that were made even before I opened my atelier.

In the future years I hope to be able to continue on this path, naturally ascending and filled with demanding work, personal inspirations and beautiful people.

I am inviting you and anyone interested, to come and see my temporary exhibition Veşminte, hosted by the Romanian Cultural Institute in Vienna. For 7 days, from the 13th of October until the 21st (excl. the weekend), I will personally be there most of the time. You can see a small selection of my designs accompanied by artful and soulful photographs taken by Dina Lee.

See you soon!

Three Days With Alexandra, Day II

In the first part of my three days creative journey with Sorina and Alexandra, I showed you a couple of places close to my atelier.

Clarisse & the Wild Olive

One of my latest projects, that I am very proud of and very happy about, was organized in Bucharest, my home town. It is my second occasion to work with a Romanian team in Bucharest and it’s an absolute pleasure and thrill to bring to Vienna the results of such a dedicated and skilled team! I would first like to introduce Wild Olive African Artisans Apothecary, our shoot location, a divine space and concept, that was envisioned by a dear childhood friend of mine, Mărioara. She established the brand in Cape Town and brought it to Bucharest a couple of years ago. The high end organic body care products combined with an individual artistic approach make this brand so special! The store managers made us feel like home :) Wedding and portrait photographer Ioan Stoica was highly recommended by his colleagues and I was so happy that he accepted to join the team. He worked so beautiful and focused! Our model, Mădălina, was a blessing to work with, she is a part of the best agency in Romania, MRA. Make-up and hair artists, Raluca and Aynan were delightful, kind, warm hearted and made the exact styling I was aiming for!

Thank you everyone!

On The Blue Shore Of Silence

I need the sea because it teaches me.
I don’t know if I learn music or awareness,
if it’s a single wave or its vast existence,
or only its harsh voice or its shining
suggestion of fishes and ships.
The fact is that until I fall asleep,
in some magnetic way I move in
the university of the waves.

La Petite Artisan

Since I know myself I have a great passion for earrings... I love fine but sophisticated ones with a minimalist and special design, most important, gentle with the skin as I developed many allergies over time. As I share the same taste and expectations with some of my friends, customers or colleagues, I took the chance and decided to design a full collection of one of a kind, fine earrings. 

The Delightful Ball Dresses Project & A Second Place!

About five weeks ago I received an email from the Viennese Fashion Guild (Landesinnung Wien der Mode und Bekleidungstechnik) with a very exciting and challenging project: to design two ball dresses for the anniversary ball of a dancing school (Tanzschule Chris).

Feinheiten, Innsbruck

About four years ago, my designer friend, Johanna Larcher, called me to tell me about a newly opened shop, Feinheiten, in Innsbruck. She described it as lovely and exclusive and that my label would get a good exposure there. I got in contact with the owner, Marianne Ecker; I was impressed by her excellent English, our e-mail conversations were easy and delightful so we happily decided to cooperate! She is one of the most serious, correct, organised and friendly shop owners I've ever worked with! I appreciate the fact that Feinheiten has a captivating selection of handmade designs from yoga collections to leather goods, lifestyle products, children accessories and jewellery.

My Website In A New Design

Photo: Melanie Nedelko

My new website is finally ready and I hope you will like it and find it easy to navigate through the menu and galleries. Enjoy!

patriciavincent.com

„Holly’s secret is a girl’s best friend“

I had the pleasure to participate yesterday in a creative event organised by the Viennese Textile Guild, the Viennese Jewellery Makers Guild and the contemporary design gallery Artup.

The main event, held yesterday in 48 locations, is called „Lange Nacht der Schmuckkunst“ / “The Long Night of Art Jewellery” and took place for the 7th year now. One of the hosting locations was Artup, in the First District of Vienna, a place that welcomes and sells Austrian design (fashion, accessories, home decoration objects, jewellery).

The Sheraton Salzburg Project, Part II

I feel so proud seeing the result of our cooperation, it was a beautiful project and I am looking forward for new challenges. The bridal dress and jacket that Helena was wearing is a custom order for my beautiful bride Aubrey.

Aubrey married this summer and I am very thankful for her offer to borrow us her wedding dress, I will soon feature our working process and the wedding photos!

The idea behind this shot was a coming together of classic style elements and more  glamorous aspects of the era of the 1920s as presented in American movies. The photographic story starts with the wedding celebration in the Sheraton Salzburg Hotel and ends with the freshly married couple enjoying the first morning of their marriage in one of the hotel's 5* rooms.

The Sheraton Salzburg Project, Part I

Last winter I was offered an interesting project initiated by wedding planner Monika Toth. Knowing about my corporate services, she invited me to be a part of the team that will work for the Sheraton Salzburg presentation and publicity material (flyers, catalogues, website). In summer 2014, Monika passed over the organisational part to wedding planner and event designer Lorinda Horner ("The Moment Maker") and in a couple of weeks we were in Salzburg! :)

A Glimpse Inside Susanne Payer’s Garden, Home & Wardrobe

I first met Susanne Payer about one year ago at a dinner party held in our dear friend’s home Erika Zahl-Berg. Susanne was super friendly to me from the first moment she got to know me; she is such a nice person! Over the delicious dinner that Erika prepared for us, I chatted a bit about my profession and importance of finding fitting and creative locations for my photoshoots. Susanne happily offered her home and garden to host my next shoot for the I Am Leonie Lookbook. She lives outside Vienna, has a dream property and invests a lot of time in taking care of it, especially the garden. The photoshoot took place a couple of weeks later, my team and I felt wonderful and to our delight, everything came perfectly together. A few months later I had the pleasure to show a bit of my home country to Erika, Susanne and her husband, Piet. It was one of the most beautiful trips I ever did!

Corporate: Vena - Lutka Clip

What I love about each of my Corporate projects is, that every single one is very individual and involves many creative minds.  I play a small part in these projects, the result is a sum of all contributors and it’s a great feeling to see that I can work so smoothly together with other people. I usually like to work in solitude, but sometimes it's a positive challenge to share and receive creative energies.

Custom-made Headpiece for Manuela

Mid December I had the pleasure to receive a custom order from my friend Manuela, she wanted a headpiece that she can wear at a 20s themed ball in the Hofburg. Based on her wish, I decided to use goat leather, lace, coque feathers and pearls for my design.

Custom: Wool Dress & Blazer

Mid November I received a piece of beautiful green wool from my friend Nadia that she wanted to be turned into a two pieces outfit that she can wear separately or together, mostly at the office. At first she wanted a skirt and jacket but then she decided for a dress and jacket because we had plenty of fabric. The design came together from a mood board that Nadia created with different inspirational details and wishes. The lining, buttons and seam’s piping are in silver, a beautiful contrast to the wool’s colour.

The result was much appreciated and I was so happy to see Nadia celebrating Christmas in Moscow wearing the outfit :)

Custom: Wool Coat with Detachable “Vegan” Fox Fur Collar

I received this order last November and I enjoyed every step of the working process. My friend Beatrice chose the colours (green wool, magenta lining and foxy fake fur) and we decided for the design together.