C: How did Naya Rea come about? What made you want to become a designer?

NR: It was an inevitable path for me as I have loved clothes from as long as I remember and ultimately I am a dreamer, these two passions led me to become a fashion designer.

C: Where do you take inspiration from?

NR: I read recently someone said in an interview that every story is about leaving home to return home, I found this sentiment quite interesting as for me every collection is returning home in a way. I never intended to make Siberia where I am from to be my main source of inspiration but it just happened naturally and maybe that's why it works because it is happening so organically.

C: What is your design process? Is there a particular routine you follow?

NR: For me it is storytelling, it is like a book and every collection is a new chapter. I look at the previous collection and try to continue to create a new story without disconnecting it from what I did previously. The routine is not unusual - I look at the fabrics which inspire me, create my prints (I love creating my own prints) and once I receive all my fabrics I start making and this is also very important to me - I make all my samples myself as I love that magic moment of turning the idea into the actual garment.

C: Could you describe to us the ultimate 'Naya Rea' girl?

NR: She is definitely fun, curious, brave, loves to shine and she knows what she wants.

C: We understand Naya Rea takes careful consideration when it comes to slow fashion. Will you be able to tell us more about this?

NR: I work with manufacturers who focus on ethical production, it is mainly family-run businesses and every team is now almost like a family to me so I know exactly how it is produced and made. Regarding the fabrics - I use a lot of organic cotton and dead stock, most of our styles produced in small quantities.

C: For the aspiring designers out there, what advice would you give them to start their own brand?

NR: Find the right people to work with, you can't do it alone!

C: Do you have any upcoming projects you can tell us about?

NR: I know I have a lot of work ahead and a lot of interesting mini-projects, that's all I can tell for now.