neza_simcic

Neža Simčič’s (@neza_simcic ) graduate collection MARA reimagines Slovenia’s rich craft heritage through a contemporary fashion lens. Drawing inspiration from traditional woodenware and basketry, her designs blend ancient techniques with modern couture aesthetics. “For me, fashion began with craft,” Neža shares. “Growing up in Slovenia, couture felt distant, but crafting felt personal. This collection is my way of preserving cultural identity while embracing innovation.” By integrating intricate handmade details, MARA becomes more than a fashion collection—it’s a celebration of heritage, resilience, and the stories woven through time. Photographer: Sofia Okkonen School: @aalto_fashion

Thank you @modaportugal.official and @aalto_fashion for this opportunity 🤍 Big thanks also to Aalto team for an amazing and fun week! @lervern @apollodacostadoria @kiilunen.design 🥰

Basket heels development: - Beige heels with a wooden basket woven heel - Initial idea of a bubble basket heel, by using an apple 🍎 - Weaving the heels - 360 of the basket heels

Look 1, Hat development: - Isa, @mako1sa in a knitted dress with basket woven hat - Balenciaga couture, 1967 wedding ensemble - weaving the hat using leather cord and wood - half woven hat - finished hat

Basket bags, development and prototypes 🧺

Look 4 from my MA collection and the process - Corinna @corinna.puleo in the long blue basket-woven leather dress, photo by: Sofia Okkonen @sofia_okkonen - Shape development - Draping the leather - Styling fittings - Lookbook behind the scenes Big thank you to Ahlskog Tannery, @ahlskogtannery for sponsoring me with their reindeer leathers!

Sofia @sofiaruija on the Näytös 2024 runway, detail of the “back carrying basket dress” Photo by: Kristian Presnal @kristianpresnal

Look 5 from my MA collection and the process - Zainab @zainab_arowolo in the mint basket-woven leather set, photo by: Sofia Okkonen @sofia_okkonen - Balenciaga couture 1950, a lady carrying a basket on her hip 1954, Slovenia - Shape development - Pre-woven leather belt-skirt - Basket woven skirt - Lookbook behind the scenes Big thank you to Ahlskog Tannery, @ahlskogtannery for sponsoring me with their reindeer leathers!

Look 4, woven leather detail. Made from reindeer leather from @ahlskogtannery and leather cord.

Look 3 from my MA collection and the process - Hilma @hilmakotkaniemi in the small knitted bubble dress, photo by: Sofia Okkonen @sofia_okkonen - Balenciaga couture, balloon dress 1958, basket for grabbing leaves 1954, Slovenia - Shape development - Knitting the dress in multiple parts - All knitted parts joined - Dress assembly - Styling fittings

Knit development for my MA collection - Knitting the sample from linen and mohair yarn - Knit pattern reference; Horsehair sieve bottoms from Stražišče, Slovenia 1833 - Knitted check sample

Look 6 from my MA collection and the process - Stefania in the blue knitted bubble dress, photo by: Sofia Okkonen @sofia_okkonen - Balenciaga couture, balloon dress 1958 - Basket bag inspiration; girl carrying a back basket, Slovenia 1949 - Shape development - Working inside the bubble - Bubble dress laying on the table - Styling fittings