Elina Štobe

Photo Courtesy Of Elina Štobe

WHERE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW AND HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED THERE?
I am based in Riga, Latvia. o is my brand SLOW Beachwear.
 
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED? 
I'm born in Liepaj, a little resort town at the cost side of our beautiful country.

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR PRESENT CITY OR HOMETOWN?
The seaside is the best thing anyone could wish for!

WHAT WERE YOUR ASPIRATIONS GROWING UP?
My grandma was a dancer, I wanted to be a dancer or ballerina too.

WHY DESIGNER?
Fashion always fascinated me. It's a creative and dynamic industry, and you can become anything you want. Fashion is a way through how a woman can discover and disclose myself.

WHY BEACHWEAR?
I think that it is hard to find the perfect swimsuit - comfortable, good quality, elegant and sexy at the same time. I created SLOW Beachwear to give this opportunity to ladies all over the world.

WHERE DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR TRAINING?
I worked as a stylist and image designer for private clients and celebrities for many years. Experience in the field made me realise that I wanted to create something special myself.

WHAT'S YOUR PROCESS FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION?
Creationg of an item comes from creating. The more an artist sketches the more comes out of it. Creativity grows in the process. The end product, a swimsuit, takes a long time to develop because it's a piece of clothing that's close to the skin. It has to feel right.

WHO OR WHAT HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
Art, architecture, conceptual and contemporary exhibitions that are outlandish.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR PERSONAL AESTHETIC?
My personal style depends on my feelings at that particular moment. I love to try different things. Be romantic, feminine, and bold. A bit of everything that makes woman interestingnd mystrious.

WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO WHEN YOU'RE NOT WORKING?
My two kids - Marcella who's four, and Kristian who is 11 years old. They're a riot.

HOW DO YOU UNWIND?
I love to read, and to be alone with my thoughts and emotions. Long walks along the seaside also calms and relaxes me.