Kate Zelentsova: In All Our Glorious Baroque Confusion

Published May 2, 2016

It’s one thing to successfully create garments during your second year at CSM, it’s another thing to make the outside world aware of their existence. Second year Fashion Design with Knitwear student Kate Zelentsova has a knack for both. As a preparation for placement year — where ideally she’d want to work in the knit departments of Marc Jacobs, Bless or Lutz Huelle — she got a bunch of friends together to shoot a lookbook of her most recent work. Inspired by Peter Greenaway’s visually opulent film Prospero’s Books, and a 70s Soviet TV broadcast adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Kate aimed to keep the aesthetics close to her designs, communicating a dreamlike and glam atmosphere that feels a bit ‘taped together’ — similar to the cheap materials, costumes and sets used in the films.

On a scale of one to 100, how excited are you about life right now?

I’d say 90. I’m terrified, but also pretty fucking excited.

What’s the hardest thing about being in knit?

Juggling textiles and fashion. Also, not forgetting to rack.

Weirdest thing you’ve ever designed?

Last year I made a brolly hat with built-in earrings, a pair of sunglasses that you can zip things onto, and a chain bikini that also attaches to earrings, all in silver.

Favourite yarn?

Silver Abigail by Kyototex.

If you could work at any fashion house, where would it be and what position?

It’s a tough one. Maybe Sonia Rykiel, head designer. Let’s make lurex dresses cool again.

Who would you like to get career advice from?

Miuccia Prada. Like how to make people want things that they didn’t know they wanted.

What is the thing you most frequently do when in college?

Cry over Dubieds.

Do you work hard?

I sure fucking hope so.

What do you do on Sundays?

Sleep a bit longer, have a sensible breakfast or get waffles at Brixton market, and either work or go to a gallery, treat myself to some gelato.