What is your education?
 

I finished art school, then I learned at Moscow State Stroganov Academy of Design and Applied Arts
majoring in design and art of embroidery. I also studied at Moscow State Textile Academy majoring in
fashion design. Lastly, I finished a course in computer design.

How did you choose a profession of a designer? How did you start working with embroidery?

I wouldn’t say I chose the profession. Among the many hobbies in childhood, drawing and sculpting were
my favorites. Later, in Academy of Arts, I started to learn about embroidery according to old patterns – and
I fell in love with this form of art.
When I began to work at Research Institute of the Art Industry, I had a great pleasure of going to
expeditions and making a lot of sketches of the old embroideries.
I worked with amazing fashion designers and developed décor sketches for their creations. Over time, I
found a passion in computer graphics and I mastered this field with enthusiasm too. It is important for my
job at RIOLIS.

In what other creative fields have you tried yourself?

The art of making dolls is another hobby of mine. I come back to it from time to time. I have participated in
international creative exhibitions with my works.
I also have an experience in making cards.
For a while, I worked as a fashion designer at woman’s clothing factory. I can say that it is a great feeling to
see people in the street wearing skirts and suits that you created: you understand that your work wasn’t for
nothing. I don’t believe that you can create only for yourself, without a feedback.

How did you start working at RIOLIS?

I found out about RIOLIS from my professor at Textile Academy N. B. Yakovleva. She cooperated with a then
new company. I successfully worked as a fashion designer at that time. RIOLIS offer attracted me by the
opportunity to combine my creative abilities with experience in computer graphics and love for the
needlework.
Founders of the company O. A. Akifiev and N. V. Vlasova were full of optimism and optimism in the 90s
inspires respect.

Do you have a favorite embroidery technique?

Embroidery technique is like paint for an artist or musical notes for a composer – it is a basis for creativity.
Each technique has its own merits and means of expression. Colorful satin stitch is closer to painting. It can
convey subtle color transitions and combinations.
Backstitch is like frost pattern on glass – it is exquisitely graphic. If we talk about cross stitch, which I do at
RIOLIS, here the picture is more important than technique.

How your cross stitch designs are born?

Almost every design has its own story. Artist’s attitude to the subject that is portrayed is always very
personal. It happens that the design is in the creative plan of the company, but the idea of its fulfillment is
not born until the artist has the attitude and his special view on the proposed topic.
I, for example, had to wait quite some time until the idea of the design with swans was ready. These birds
are often portrayed, and it is easy to repeat as to sing someone else’s melody mistaking it for your own. A
lucky coincidence brought me to the shore of Vltava in Prague, and everything came together: graceful,
trusting birds and a wonderful cityscape. The solution was found.

How does the inspiration come to you?

I don’t like to wait for the inspiration; I don’t have a possibility to do that as well. I am not an exception: for
most people in a creative field inspiration comes in a process of work. However, creativity is impossible
without experiences, good mood, friendly atmosphere and support from friends and colleagues. Everything
is included in the experiences: exhibitions, concerts, theatre, travels, interesting books and articles in the
magazines. I also enjoy going to workshops of other artists.

Do you have any favorite artists in the visual arts?

There are many: for example, I love impressionists. “Impression” for me is one of the keywords in
creativity. I love modern Russian art in all its forms. I feel close to works of book illustrators: classic (I.
Bilibin) and modern (O. Popugaeva and D. Nepomnyashchiy), Russian and foreign (R. Dauntremer).
I also like sketches of fashion designers and enjoy going to their shows. From cross stitch designers I really
respect Michael Powell; I also love the work of my colleagues. We learn from each other, consult and help
each other to find interesting solutions. We have a good team, and this is very important. Our works give
the stitchers that positive energy with which they were created.