The Art of
Fashion
By
Noelle Rivera
Posted June 5, 2007
Madina Vadache
“I want to tell the world this is art. I am an artist, not a
fashion designer”, said wedding dress extraordinaire Madina
Vadache.
Vadache’s fabrications focus on wedding dresses with a
supplemental bridesmaids collection, are featured in the best
bridal magazines and are sold internationally—it is hard to her
career was stumbled upon.
Thirteen years ago Vadache came to the
United States
on vacation to visit a relative. At the same time civil war
erupted in her home, the former Soviet Republic of Georgia and
she was unable to go back. With little money and only a slight
grasp of English, Vadache and her husband began to make a life
for themselves in Seattle.
In
Georgia, Vadache graduated from the Academy of Fine Art with a
Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design. She also worked in a
fashion house as a lead designer. Although she was distinguished
in the industry at home, the fashion scene in Seattle was a
completely different story.
Vadache found work at her friend’s florist shop. Aware of
Vadache’s fashion background, she persuaded Vadache to design
her niece’s wedding gown. Unfamiliar with dress designing,
Vadache was skeptical at first.
“I
wasn’t thinking about it originally. In
Russia
I did a lot of tailoring with jackets, pants, and shirts. I
wasn’t doing a lot of dresses,” said Vadache, “It was another
challenge.”
Luckily she took on the task, and soon Vadache began building
her clientele and fell in love with dress designing. She took
out ads and attended bridal shows in order to showcase her work.
At the same time she was taking English and business courses to
launch her new dream.
In
2000, Vadache borrowed money from a friend to set up her own
boutique—“Madina Vadache”. Vadache knew the importance of “the
perfect wedding dress” and saw the importance in building strong
relationships with her customers.
“It’s not just designing dresses for me, but how you feel when
you’re wearing it,” said Vadache caringly.
With amazingly loyal clientele, Vadache received numerous
requests to design bridesmaid dresses, which has also been a
huge focus for her in recent years. Also included in this line
are stunning cocktail dresses perfect for an evening out.
Vadache’s success continued to flourish at fast pace, but
running the boutique practically every day left her with little
to no time to intensify her passion. She became a businesswoman
versus a creative outlet. Making the executive decision of
performing strictly wholesales, Vadache sold her boutique in
2005, which is renamed as “Voletta Couture”. Although it is
under new ownership, Vadache’s designs are still featured there
as well as in boutiques in New Orleans, Atlanta, New York,
Norfolk, and Vancouver B.C.
Vadache currently releases one bridal collection per year. Her
most recent line is entitled “English Garden” with intricate and
elaborate patterns and designs. In her next collection, Vadache
desires to take a different approach.
“The next collection is going to be more easy going. I really
want to work more on the simplicity of forms and tailoring,”
said Vadache.
She
describes her designs including separate coats and jackets, many
tailored sleeves, off the shoulder and gorgeous rhinestone
buttons.
More bridal gowns are not the only thing in Vadache’s forecast;
the entrepreneur is currently working on a couture quality
ready-to-wear line debuting in Fall 2007. The line will be
feminine, sexy, put together and modern including cigarette
pants, bloomer shorts, stretch blouses, trapeze shapes, and
hand-manipulated designs.
“I
don’t want to be just known as a bridal designer. I want to go
into high fashion and be in New York fashion week,” said Vadache,
“I have confidence this line will be popular.”
With her new venture, Vadache is still all about the woman’s
comfort utilizing a silk wool blend in a pair of bloomer pants.
She encourages her customers to “be your own creative mind” –
with all her outfits made as separates enabling the customer to
mix-and-match.
“When you are happy inside your clothing is glowing because you
are,” said Vadache.
Within the next year, Vadache plans to move to
New York
where there is a developed fashion industry and an easy
connection to suppliers. She uses a lot of European fabrics,
fabric dyers, and pleaters that are practically inaccessible in
the Northwest.
“I
can’t afford Dolce and Gabana so this will be my own Dolce and
Gabana,” said Vadache.
Installation by couture designer Madina Vadache can be currently
seen at the Patricia
Cameron Art Gallery.
©
2006 All content property of European Weekly unless where otherwise
accredited
