Nanushka: An Interview with Sandra Sándor

Sandra Sándor. Photo: Márk Viszlay

Nanushka is the childhood nickname of Hungarian fashion designer Sandra Sándor, a London College of Fashion, Fashion Design & Technology majors graduate. Established in Budapest in 2005 with the active lifestyle of today’s women in mind, Nanushka’s design focuses on enduring silhouettes, comfort and functionality combined with a playful attitude rather than fashion trends. Black, white, gray and their different shades as well as modern, high quality fabrics form the basis of Nanushka’s collections. Nanushka is currently expanding internationally and its collections are now seen not only in its hometown of Budapest but also in selected stores in Madrid, Helsinki, Tokyo, New York and Los Angeles.

When I asked Sandra to be part of my program by sending her an e-mail suggesting I send my questions over, she wrote that she prefers meeting personally. How sweet is that? I was more than happy to see her in her beautiful, little showroom just under the Buda Castle.

Sandra, how did you start in fashion? My mother has engaged in children’s clothing, and I loved dressing up from the very early age of my childhood. I have always knew that I want to engage in clothes but wasn’t sure about being a designer. I didn’t draw and most of the designers start up with that. I was in secondary school when I first thought of becoming a designer. I had special ideas and despite of my love for clothes I couldn’t find a collection that was entirely perfect in my own view, so I wanted to create my own collections. I went to London in 2000 and I finished school in 2004. I came home in the same year and my first collection debuted in the spring/summer of 2006.

I fell in love with your collections because I love monochrome. What is your idea about colors? The basic colors of my collections are always gray and its shades. I have just started experimenting with colors and am now in love with pastels. However, gray and black will always be part of the colors I use.

Another love-factor for me is that your clothes are wearable, comfortable and functional. Do you stick to functionality? Definitely! I am always interested in what is going on around us in fashion, but not because I want to go with the trends. There are a lot of fashion trends that I don’t like and I wouldn’t use them in my creations. I always love to mix current trends with functionality and comfort. I haven’t ever gone for haute couture because I am not the type to do that; I simply wouldn’t be good at it.

Who are your favorite designers? I love Stella McCartney, Alexander Wang, Preen and Future Classics, but I have many favorites!

What are your sources of inspiration? Oh, I have many of that, too! The work of my favorite designers of course, but I get inspired by traveling, everyday people, especially in cosmopolitan areas. I adore streetstlye!

Do you wear your own clothes? I do, yes! Half of my wardrobe consists of my own creations I would say. I love mixing high and low, so I wear high street brands, too.

What are you wearing right now? My jacket is from USE unused. {Editorial note: She laughs. USE unused is another great Hungarian designer label.} My shirt is from Nanushka and my leggings are from H&M.

I have seen boots in your new collection. Do you plan to design other accessories? I definitely do! We have these boots in our current collection and another shoe in the s/s 2010 collection. I plan to have bags, too.

What are your favorite pieces from the current collection? I love the pieces made from quilted fabrics and the jacket made from faux fur that looks like being made with feathers.

What are your favorite fabrics? I love cotton mixed with silk or wool. I also like modern, synthetic fabrics that imitate chiffon and silk. I prefer a comfortable wear in point of fabrics, too.

Thank you so much for the interview, Sandra. Very inspiring! I wish you every success with your work.

Nanushka A/W 09/10

Here you will find the program of today's event.