Ksenia Schnaider

Photo Courtesy Of Ksenia Schnaider

WHERE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW AND HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED THERE?
I'm based in Kyiv and have lived here my whole life.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
I was born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine.

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR PRESENT CITY OR HOMETOWN?
Kyiv is very disorganized and disorienting, that is the thing I love about it. I find so much inspiration in the visual overdose and the apparent lack of taste. But also I love how visible the growth in Kyiv has been the last couple of years. And the main thing about Kyiv is people, and the very friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

WHAT WERE YOUR ASPIRATIONS GROWING UP?
I have been interested in clothes my whole life. I started putting together my first designs as a teenager.

WHY DESIGNER?
I don't remember making the decision. As I mentione, it happened some time ago and was probably made on a subconscious level. I never sat down to think it through, I just did it.

WHERE DID YOU RECEIVE  YOUR TRAINING?
I studied at Kiev University of Design and Technology in Ukraine. That was hardly educational. All my training happened in practicing what I do for years and years.

WHAT'S YOUR PROCESS FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION?
A lot of fabric-picking, findings-picking and fittings.

WHO OR WHAT HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
My husband Anton, I guess.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE AND AESTHETIC?
I like to find hidden beauty in ugly things, I like to discover hidden places in small towns, I like something very special for myself, that is not popular among wide audience. My personal style consists of such findings - at vintage shops, in my husband's wardrobe, at mass markets and at concept stores and at the at studios of Ukrainian designers.

WHAT MOMENT ARE YOU HAVING?
I'm into re-working and upcycling fabrics leftovers.

WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO WHEN YOU'RE NOT WORKING?
I wouldn't know, hardly ever happens.

HOW DO YOU UNWIND?
Spend time with my family, cook, watch Netflix, travel and sleep a lot.