ABOUT ME
My name is Irina Fedorova, and I’m an emerging fashion designer currenrly studying at HSE University, School of Design.
My work combines visual research, storytelling, and experimentation with silhouettes, textures, and materials. I draw inspiration from art, cultural references, and personal experiences, transforming them into contemporary garments with a distinctive character. Personally, I believe that fashion is much more than just clothing — it is a way to express ideas, emotions, and identity. I enjoy exploring different design approaches and developing concepts from initial research and sketches to finished garments.
Through my portfolio, I aim to share my creative vision and connect
with fashion brands, creative directors, and design teams. I’m open to new professional opportunities and collaborations!
DESIGN APPROACH
For me, every project starts with an idea or a question that I want to explore. I begin by collecting references, studying their context, and identifying visual elements that can be transformed into design. Rather than directly reproducing my sources of inspiration, I aim to reinterpret them through my own perspective, creating something contemporary and personal.
Experimentation plays an essential role in my creative practice. I enjoy exploring different silhouettes, proportions, textures, and construction techniques, allowing the design to evolve throughout the process. Sketching, fabric manipulation, draping, and working with physical materials help me discover unexpected solutions and develop a stronger connection between the initial concept and the final garment.
I believe that successful fashion design requires a balance between creative expression and technical understanding. While I value storytelling and conceptual thinking, I also pay attention to functionality, craftsmanship, and the way garments interact with the body.
Ultimately, my goal is to create clothing that goes beyond aesthetics. I want each piece to communicate an idea, evoke a feeling, or tell a story while remaining relevant to contemporary fashion.
PROJECT 01
Loss
«Loss» is a diploma teaser exploring the evolution of mourning aesthetics from the Victorian era to contemporary digital culture. The project examines grief as both a personal experience and a cultural phenomenon shaped by history, social traditions, and technology.
While Victorian mourning was expressed through clothing, memorial objects, and rituals, contemporary grief increasingly takes form through digital platforms and virtual memorials. Despite these differences, both eras share a desire to preserve memories and make loss visible.
The project brings together two key visual references: Victorian funerary sculpture and the blanket as a contemporary symbol of grief.
The drapery of Victorian cemetery statues inspired the sense of weight, concealment, and emotional tension in the collection. The blanket, by contrast, represents intimacy, protection, and the private experience of loss.
PROJECT 02
Nostalgia
«Nostalgia» is a fashion capsule inspired by the rare white cranes of Yakutia and a childhood story passed down by my grandmother. According to an old belief, witnessing the dance of these birds brings lifelong happiness and good fortune. My grandmother was fortunate enough to witness this rare phenomenon, and her story became a cherished part of my childhood.
look № 1
look № 2
look № 3
The collection explores the themes of nostalgia, memory, and emotional connections across generations. Rather than telling a story directly, it focuses on capturing an atmosphere of softness, tenderness, and romanticized memories.
Through delicate silhouettes, airy fabrics, and subtle details, I aim to convey the warmth of memories and the beauty of moments that remain with us through time. The collection is not about a particular event, but about a feeling — the warmth and love passed down from one generation to another.
