Augusta Theodoulou: The Austrian fashion designer in Paris! (pictures)

Snapshot 2019 02 17 13.56.53 Avgorou, Avgousta Theodoulou, Cities, Famagustians Abroad, Fashion Designer, Interview, fashion, New Famagusta, Paris, interview

Today Famagusta.News with the column Famagustians Abroad travels to the field of fashion and to Paris, to meet the talented young and award-winning fashion designer Augusta Theodoulou. Augusta Theodoulou is undoubtedly an up-and-coming and very promising fashion designer, who with her talent "plows" the catwalks.

Let's meet her!

Who is Augusta Theodoulou?

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Augusta Theodoulou was born in Avgorou, Cyprus. She has lived in Greece, where she studied Computer Science (BSc & MSc) and then worked for some years as a teacher.

There he began experimenting with various means and techniques of handmade creation. In 2013, she made the move to Paris to pursue her dream of fashion. In 2016 he received a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design and Technology IFA Paris.

Immediately after graduation, she began to show her work, for which she received several awards. Her creations have been featured in exhibitions in Paris, Washington, Shanghai and Athens. In 2016, she was a finalist and received the Bronze Award at the China International Fashion Design Competition (Kekiao, Shanghai), in which the 30 finalists stood out among more than 2000 applications from young designers. Immediately afterwards, he received the Best New Designer Award 2017 at 21ηAthens Xclusive Designers Week.

At the end of 2018, she founded her company in Paris, where she has been living for the last few years, to launch her collections under the label “Avgousta Theodoulou”. Her clothes are produced within a moral framework of creation that respects man and the environment. The goal is to "educate" the eye of the consumer so that he can distinguish and appreciate the human contribution to the creation of clothing. She has started collaborations with various concept stores and will soon sell some of her pieces online at www.avgoustatheodolou.com.

1. For many, the fashion world is an elusive dream. How did you manage to are you entering the fashion industry?

I remember as a child finding a special interest in clothing, touching the fabric and paying attention to its details. I loved watching the catwalks and trying to figure out the idea behind each collection. But I was never interested in anything just because there was a famous designer or brand behind it. I never looked at the labels on the clothes, I looked at the shop window to get into a store and then in the clothes I looked at the quality, the application, the originality in its design.

As a kid, I used to look for different ways to express myself, write poems, and be interested in crafts, especially crochet. After university, in parallel with teaching, I began experimenting creatively with various materials. I used to make and make handmade jewelry in a shop in Ioannina, while I also started making my first clothes. I saw all this as a side occupation. I never thought of giving up teaching and dealing exclusively with fashion. Until the circumstances led me and my husband to move to Paris, so I decided to take it as an opportunity to pursue something that I too considered an elusive dream and to study fashion design.

It was a huge change for me in my 30s to become a student again. The biggest difficulty was leaving behind a job I loved very much. On the other hand, creation has always given me incredible pleasure. When I started to stand out among my classmates at school and get very positive feedback from my teachers, I realized that there was a real reason for me to turn the page. For me, fashion is a means of expression and creation. On the other hand, the fashion industry is tough, and it has learned to operate by market rules and contrasts with the sensitive side and the artistic freedom that a designer must have.

2. What is your opinion about the fashion industry today that requires very fast pace and mass production by designers every year? How does this affect quality? Are there alternatives?

For several years, the industry has required the designer to present at least two collections a year. The pace is crazy, exhausting, and inevitably leads to declining quality, mass production and even in countries like China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc., for which production conditions and the exploitation of workers have been repeatedly discussed. to create clothes that will cost less than a plate of food and bring in as much profit as possible to the big ones who control the market.

One answer to all this is to move in the exact opposite direction, what we call "slow fashion." Personally, I don't think a collection should always have a label with a strict time limit, such as "SS19". I want to make clothes that will stand the test of time, in design, idea and quality.

I prefer to spend more time developing my ideas and being able to choose where, when and how to present them. This obviously means fewer collections per year but also fewer sacrifices in terms of fabric quality and production quality. At a time when the majority of clothing on the market uses synthetic fabrics, the challenge for me is to use as many natural materials as I can. Even when it is necessary to use synthetics, I would like them to be eco-friendly and not come in contact with the skin.

3. How would you characterize your career so far in the field of fashion?

My career in the field started quite dynamically, I would say. Personally, I am very happy and proud of what I have achieved so far. I managed to present my work which in a short time received significant distinctions. All this gave me incredible joy, but at the same time it bothered me as there were suggestions and opportunities that I was not ready to take advantage of immediately. So I spent more time building a strong team and stronger bases for my next moves.

 

5. What do you consider to be the most important resource you have acquired?

 Having on the one hand lived in Cyprus, Greece and now in France, and on the other hand passed from computer science to fashion, I have learned to discern what every place and every sector can offer. I adapt to the different and draw inspiration from it.

From every phase of my life I think I got something valuable. In Cyprus I grew up with a rich tradition and a beloved family. In Greece, which also has a long tradition, I studied and through teaching I learned to learn better.

Then came Paris with a plethora of different stimuli, which helped me develop my ideas. Especially in terms of fashion, I see that in Paris things are possible that in Cyprus or Greece seem impossible. Respectively, there are things that are possible in Greece and Cyprus, but they seem very difficult in Paris. The difficulties and challenges I have had to face so far abroad have made me believe more in myself.

6. If you should consult another younger person, who dreams of indulge in fashion, what would you tell him?

Many people find this dream elusive and thus discourage you. Indeed, the space is very competitive and requires financial comfort so that one can take one's first steps more easily. That's what I heard and many times my wings were cut off.

I am proud, however, that while I did not have the financial comfort, nor did I have in my environment people related to fashion who could help me, my work managed to stand out. But at this point I couldn't help but thank my family and my husband for supporting me along the way.

That is why I believe that there is not much advice and suggestions to give. Each person is a special case. However, it should be borne in mind that anyone interested in his endeavor should be long-term and patient.

 

7. What are your future plans and future goals?

The truth is, I don't like talking about future plans. I like to talk more after something has been achieved. There is a plan running for the next few months and I hope it goes well. At the moment, I make and sell my clothes in concept stores, while in February some products will be available in the online shop (www.avgoustatheodoulou.com). I am nevertheless interested in developing collaborations in Cyprus on a haute couture project that will highlight the Cypriot creation.

Because we like it Famagusta.News Augusta Theodoulou? 

Augusta is a young woman full of dreams, courage and patience to claim a well-known career in fashion. As a result, her talent brings a unique temperament to her work. Without a doubt, her designs go beyond trivial stylistic choices and her own unique style has something to tell us… Something different, different and beautiful! August is a new fashion designer, who every time appears ready to amaze the crowds and steal the show with each of her designs.

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August, our team wholeheartedly wishes you good luck!

Famagusta.News

Pictures from: Olivier Jeanne-Rose

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Website: https://avgoustatheodoulou.com