A spotlight on Dimitra Petsa, London based interdisciplinary artist working in the mediums of fashion, performance and film using the wearer as performer, the garment as script.
The stagnant fashion landscape seems to be finally coming to an end, just like covid period. However, the fashion industry extracts some interesting conclusions from the dark phase of isolation, which reveal that the new generation of fashion fanatics and customers are looking for a personal bonding between them and their clothing selection. That’s why Petsa’s custom garments are so famous in celebrities circles. Her creations treat the human body as an organic piece of art and her work has become more relevant than ever. The designer doesn’t perceive beauty standards as trends, and she respects the pure nature of beauty. Shameless bodies, realistic female figures of all ages, diverse shapes and bodies in different states such as pregnancy. The creator doesn’t want to depict female structure as representative of physical perfection (constructed by society), she focuses on raw reality and this is something unique. Petsa’s work is accompanied by surrealistic and vulgar elements which make the final visual result even more interesting. Her influences come from her Greek origins, Mediterranean scenery, sea and her childhood experiences. As an artist, she began working with bodily fluids as part of her BA Performance Design and Practice course at Central Saint Martins before transitioning onto the Fashion MA. During London and Paris Fashion Week A/W 20, her first collection named Wetness, The Water Broke, staged a dynamic entry. The promising debut was focusing on fluids inside the human body by highlighting terms like rebirth and ecstatic birth, debuting with art performances Some weeks ago, her latest ready-to-wear collection, presented at Paris Fashion Week runways as a guest of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, proves that talent can’t be faked. The name of her latest collection was inspired by the Greek word Nostos. The terminology of the word means “homecoming” and is related to the mythological journey of Ulysses. However, Dimitra is less interested in the mythical accomplishments of a heroic man figure and more with the dark and seductive nature of Sirens-evil mermaids, he meets during his trip. She dives into the dark side of femininity with melancholic colour palettes of cobalt, navy, burgundy, and gold. This collection is mainly made from cotton jersey and Tencel and adorned with unusual pieces of jewelry such as custom marine blue rings, bracelets, and necklaces. Enjoy her liquid spirit!
Shameless bodies, realistic female figures of all ages, diverse shapes and bodies in different states such as pregnancy. The creator doesn’t want to depict female structure as representative of physical perfection constructed by society, she focuses on raw reality and this is something unique.
Dark Waters Run Deep
Fashion: Di Petsa / @dipetsa
Photos: Léa Céline Heidi Vincent / @veritysmileyjones
Words: Iro Bournazou / @irwb