Vintage Character

An interview with Marian Eespäev

By Brigitta Rebecca Kessel on Sep 1, 2014

 

"Your life begins when your comfort zone ends", says Marian, a fashion stylist from London. Following her own words she is now living on the crazy island of Ibiza. You can sense her colourful and outspoken character in everything that she does, whether it is designing clothes, making playlists or painting. Her eccentric style and charisma make her a true vintage character. We wanted to know more.  

 

Hēdonē: Hey Marian! How is life in Ibiza?

 

Marian: Hey! It's great! It's funny really, that I somehow ended up here, but it was a logical step because a lot of my friends are here.

 

How did you learn about fashion?

I have never gone to school or really learned anything about it. I have taken classes at Central Saint Martins, which is in London but I wanted to know about the specifics in fashion, sowing for example. 

 

What are your favourite places in Ibiza?

Here we have places that are fucking amazing, but when you visit them too often you loose the emotion of the place. There is a club called DC10 which is an underground place with real, cool people and good music. You can talk, share ideas and meet amazing people. Of course I also love the old town of Ibiza and the after party culture here. 

 

What is going on in your life at the moment?

I have done a little bit of modelling here but mainly in London for different photographers, they want to take pictures of me in my own element and style. I guess I am kind of a muse (laugh)! I get commissioned for artwork and tailored designs. I am doing so many different things and sometimes it worries me. I love everything too much, my emotions take over and I am passionate about too many things I suppose. 

​

Do you feel any differences between London and Ibiza when it comes to fashion?

Of course! There is nothing to compare, Ibiza is like 10 years ago. There is no certain style here, it's more about expressing yourself. I like to call it Ibiza summer love! People wear a lot of fabrics and linen. I love seeing people have their own thing going on, expressing themselves and feeling comfortable with what they wear. Personality is so important. In Ibiza you can see someone's individuality much more than in London. London is all about trends. Here you might see someone wearing a simple T-shirt and you look at him/her like, damn! Why? Because of their confidence. 

 

​How would you describe your style?

My style depends on my mood. I can be whoever I want. Sometimes I want to be punk or a madame from Paris. I have no limits and I like doing things backwards. I need to feel comfortable and things have to be in proportion. Sometimes my friends don't even recognise me because I wear so many different make-up styles and accessories. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What or where do you get your inspiration from?

I never think about where to get inspiration, my mind just floats. I always have my notebook or a phone with me that I use to write words in. I write about moments that somehow impact me. For example, if I see a funny hairpiece on someone, I will write about it and once I start to work on something I just look at my notes and I remember it and my mind starts to work. 

 

What colours do you think always work together? 

I always dare to take risks, everything suits together! You can use an old winter jacket with some kind of summer skirt if you want to. I like to put things together that don't work. 

 

What is the key ingredient to dressing fashionably?

The key ingredient to dressing fashionably is not dressing fashionably. Although you should always follow the silhouette and have a surprise detail in your clothes.

 

So apparently you are a fan of vintage fashion: what exactly qualifies as vintage these days?

They say 1920-1990. I don't care about the dates, but I have some certain period fashions that I love like the 1920's to 1940's. I love to wear things that nobody else would wear. I love to go to flea markets and find something, and if it is vintage, great! For example, I also love the 90's beach style right now. 

 

What is in fashion this season? 

The more time goes on, the more I realize that people don't have style. Style is not about clothes it is about how you walk, eat, talk and what you read and how you drink and leave your coat hanging on the door. So I don't follow fashion trends I follow my own style.

 

​Who do you look up to in the fashion industry? 

I have so many people. Jean Paul Gaultier's 80's and 90's designs were like WTF, how much fun! Then I have Theirry Muglier, Issey Miyake, KTZ, Comme des Garcons, Yohi Yamamoto, Alexander Queen and Azzedine Alaia.

 

​What is your favourite fashion magazine?

I don't have one, I feel it ruins a person's individuality and the sense of design and style. If you look at the magazines too much you start to copy other people's work in order to make yours better and cooler, but that is not you.

 

What is your favourite item in your closet? 

My boots, my Versace glasses from the 90's that have been with me everywhere and my silk morning robe that my sister bought me from Africa as a present. 

 

Do you approve of the use of fur in the fashion industry?

I am a 100% against the production of new fur. We should use vintage fur! It has been around for so long and there were animals who died for it, why should we throw them away? When I was in London I ran into a crowd of people protesting against using fur use in the fashion industry and at that moment I was wearing a long coat made of fur, they started to throw paint at me but I was lucky and got away!

 

What is your motto when it comes to fashion?

Inspire. 

  

Hēdonē is the magazine on the quest for pleasure: what is your ultimate pleasure?

Always music.