29-year old Zoran Dobric is based in Toronto. He designs for Danier and teaches a creative design course in the Ryerson University. Own label by Zoran Dobric is available in
Boutique Le Trou (Toronto), online at www.zorandobric.com and in his studio.
When did you realize you want to go into fashion?
Zoran Dobric: My father likes art, and we had a lot of art books at home. I think that influenced on me a lot. My grandmother was a seamstress, and I’ve had piles of fabrics to play with.
Ten years of fashion studies – that’s a lot…
Zoran Dobric: I studied in former Yugoslavia, in Croatia, then I studied in the University of Manitoba, where I've got my Bachelor degree in Fashion Design, and then I studied in Instituto Marangoni in Milan, where I studied fashion illustration, especially combining Photoshop technique with traditional drawing technique.
So you must love all things Italian?
Zoran Dobric: I am more into style of Prada, Gucci, and speaking of fashion, I like Japanese approach to fashion more. I love Prada, it's so clean, well-balanced, and gorgeous. You can't go wrong with Prada! I had an interview with them, and their human resources person is a psychiatrist - she can see right through you!
Was it hard for you to get aboard in Toronto?
Zoran Dobric: I met many people from fashion industry thanks to Toronto Fashion Incubator; they are doing a great job supporting young Canadian designers. TFI president Susan Langdon helped me a lot to promote my collections in magazines and with buyers.
Were you happy when you won the Art of Fashion competition?
Zoran Dobric: At the Art of Fashion I was sure that I won't win. I don't often win in designers competitions. In January 2000 I won a Millenium Designer competition held by Fashion Magazine. Before that, I won an International Textile and Apparel Association competiion for Best Wearable Art in New York in 2002, and I was third at Smirnoff International Fashion Awards.
What inspired you when you created your current collection?
Zoran Dobric: I decided to make it very Hollywood: I did everything in black and white, and silver, with some gray. I tried to create a feeling of real Hollywood glamour, but slightly deconstructed in a modern way, with a little bit of punk.
What do you have in mind for your next collection?
Zoran Dobric: I am very much inspired by Bjork now. She has this very childish and romantic side in her, and suddenly changes to fiery and edgy. I will try to implement that in my new collection. I don't know how, but I will.
What do you consider to be your signature style?
Zoran Dobric: I think my signature is the unique hand-processed fabric that I create. All of my fabrics are hand-painted, hand-pleated or appliqued. I start with plain silk or wool, and then I add something to it. I think I am more interested in fabric design, than in fashion itself. I think you can explore more in this area, and even if you do a very simple silhouette, you can express a lot with fabric. There are never two outfits that are the same. I love silk; it's very fun to work with. I'd rather do something in a plain shape but in great fabric.
What is your design philosophy?
Zoran Dobric: I love to create something that people will have strong feelings about. For me fashion is meaningless in terms of trends and all those things that are "out" next season. I like things that you enjoy wearing for many years to come, because they are so different and unique you will never get tired of them. I also try to make wearable clothes, not something that you can put on the wall. I like to make my clothes very labor-intensive. I like to experiment a lot with fabrics. It's definitely not pret-a-porter.
Do you have a specific person in mind when you create an outfit?
Zoran Dobric: No, not really. I am always surprised to see who are my customers are: from actresses to business people, doctors, surgeons... It's so strange, because my clothes is not something that surgeon would wear! Actually, most of my clients are into design, fashion, marketing, or art.
How would you describe an elegant person?
Zoran Dobric: I think that elegant person is able to send a message with his or her clothes, to let the world know what kind of person he or she is. An elegant person will use the clothes to send the world this message in means of silhouette, color, or fabric. Sometimes when people wear jeans and a T-shirt, the very way they put it together shows so much individuality and creativity than when someone buys a complete designer look from the store window just to show they have money.
Can you learn to be elegant? Or you have to be born with it?
Zoran Dobric: I think style should be a part of the environment. If it were not for my grandmother with her pieces of fabric, I wouldn't probably be a designer. In Italy, for example, fashion is the part of everyday life; everyone dresses from a designer or at least creatively.
What do you notice first in someone’s outfit?
Zoran Dobric: When I look at someone, I first notice the way everything is pulled together, and of course I look at the shoes!
Julie Gabriel
Zoran Dobric in Toronto:
Boutique LE TROU
940 Queen Str West
Toronto ON
M6J 1G8
(416)516-7122
Zoran Dobric 
