During his fashion journey, he has established a new standard of elegance for women within his designs that are draped, well tailored and emphasizes femininity and luxury.

During his fashion journey, he has established a new standard of elegance for women within his designs that are draped, well tailored and emphasizes femininity and luxury.

Fibre2Fashion: What does fashion mean to you?

Stephan Caras:

Fashion is a way of expression. Our moods, our feelings, and our tendencies are expressed through what we wear. Dressing is all about sensuality. What I consider fashion is when a woman wears something that makes her feel self assured and helps her exude her inner sensuality.

F2F: What are the top trends for this summer?

SC:

I never follow trends; I don’t believe that any trend can compliment every woman. Trends are also short lived. I believe in timeless femininity that enhances the sensuality that every woman possesses. Sometimes we lack self assurance when we dress, if I can help a woman express her femininity with my creations, this is what I call fashion.

F2F: What has always been your inspiration for your designs?

SC:

Women’s inner sensuality has always been the main source of inspiration for me. I draw a lot of creativity from any woman when I sense her sensuality. Sometimes Kyriako (my son and protege) and I follow different paths of creativity but somehow we end up together at the desired destination.

F2F: Describe the general process you go through to design and realize a piece of clothing?

SC:

It is all about chemistry, a wonderful connection between fabrics, colors, textures and femininity. Once I get inspired, a storm of creativity takes place in the depths of my imagination and I travel with it. I fantasize feminine expressions with various shapes in different fabrics and colors. I do not plan anything; I just let myself express my feelings of the moment. When a piece of clothing is completed I take a deep breath and look at it from a man’s point of view and not as a designer. If it inspires me I know that I have accomplished my mission.

F2F: How do you select your fabrics for your collection? And what do you look for when choosing a fabric?

SC:

As I mentioned earlier, it is all about chemistry. We view hundreds of fabrics each season but select a few. The fabric and I must connect through this chemistry. When I touch the fabrics I must feel this wonderful sensation of sensuality that eventually a woman will feel when she wears it as a piece of clothing. I see it as the beginning of a relationship; Kyriako and I feel a wonderful sense of accomplishment during this process.

F2F: What makes a quality article of clothing?

SC:

When you are dressed and don’t want to take it off of you, you know that you are wearing a quality article of clothing. It is a combination of fabric quality, a well constructed and well fitted garment.

F2F: How do you balance creativity with commerce?

SC:

I never design gimmics; everything I design must be feminine, sensual, and wearable for the intended market. Femininity is always commercial and appealing to those who seek it.

F2F: Where do you think is fashion heading? And where would you like to take it to?

SC:

In my opinion fashion is heading the same way we are and we will always express ourselves through fashion. Sensuality has not been lost for thousands of years and I do not see it disappearing. I certainly would not take it anywhere else.

F2F: Do you think that all clothing is a costume or something transformational?

SC:

No, clothing is a medium of expression. As I said before, dressing up is a way of expressing ourselves; it becomes costume like when designers and women go to the extremes seeking for ways of attention.

F2F: What is the biggest and most important lesson you have learned in your carrier?

SC:

No matter of the success of any designer, one is only as good as his/her last collection. Every collection must always be taken seriously and I must give 110%.

F2F: What is your opinion about the need for creating sustainable fashion?

SC:

In my opinion sustainable fashion would not work. My philosophy is that fashion is an expression, as humans change, the need to express the way we feel change too. Sustainable fashion was practiced in china during the 50s and 60s; people got tired and depressed until they revolted against it because it did not express their feelings and personalities.

F2F: What is your advice to young designers? What are your upcoming projects?

SC:

If you are not well trained with reasonable experience, not well financed, and do not have any form of external support, don’t start a business. In 5 years you will be better off working with an established designer than if you work for yourself. Four years of schooling is absolutely not enough experience to start working for yourself. Always strive to achieve your dreams, but do so by working very hard and dedicating yourself 110% to whatever it is that you are doing. Success is not easy and certainly not guaranteed; it may never come even when totally dedicated. Persistence with believing in yourself may pay off. Organizing a fashion show may give you your 15 minutes of fame but your resilience and commitment will prevail when you dedicate yourself to your designs and your creative process.