Interview with Gothiqa
Our first blog is about a young designer who created Gothiqa, founded by Rozhin. Read about how her journey started, what inspires her and more.
What made you start designing?
I’ve always loved clothing ever since I was little, I used to create outfits with my aunt. We would scour our closets since I was four and had the most fun coming up with new looks. I love that you are able to express yourself through clothing and that it can be a daily thing! People see your creativity in your outfit.
What kind of clothing spoke to you as a child and did that change over the years?
Back then I was really into girly things and clothing, but now I’m more into alternative stuff. I think that changed when I started to go out my comfortzone. At first I didn’t always dare to wear what I actually liked, because I wanted to fit in and I was still discovering myself. But after a while I realised that it’s okay to be different, from then on I started to dress more alternatively. Music also played a role in that, I started listening to gothic music which inspired the way I wanted to dress.
What does your process of designing look like?
I never design my pieces beforehand, I just make it straight on the fabric. It’s easier like that, I have to see the fabric infront of me.
Where do you get your inspiration from and who are your favorite designers?
My favourite designers are Ann Demeulemeester and Rick Owens, I love Rick’s leather pieces and how his pieces sit on the body. Also Balenciaga and Martin Margiela, they push boundaries with their unique designs. It is always a cooperation between me, the clothing and the music.
What role does music play for you in designing?
It plays a huge role! I always make my garments while listening to music, you can see that in the pieces. If you see a romantic dress, big chance I listened to relaxing music like KatieJane Garside. The music leads me to a specific concept for my pieces and every song brings up a different mood.
Which music describes your brand?
There is a band called Gothiqa, they make gothic opera and I really love that kind of music. But I am a musician myself, I play the piano and recently started a band called “Stilte” with bassplayer Dani. So if I were to have a runway show with my pieces, I will play my own music with it so that they can tell the story together. It always goes hand in hand for me.
How would you describe your brand Gothiqa?
I’ve always worked with women, they have so many qualities inside of them and I know the female body best. They can be gothic, romantic, playful, mysterious and more. I always stick to my own style but also get inspiration from the specific model I dress. I want my vision to become reality and the models help with bringing that to life.
You already did a lot of shoots with models, how do you want them to feel in your garments?
Their most authentic selves. Every look I created was based on the individual’s personality. I created a character around that, in which they felt comfortable. There has to be a balance though, what I envision and what they are comfortable with will be combined together.
How do you come up with the charachters and stories for your pieces?
I love dramatic characters, with different styles like avant garde, lolita, gothic and elegant aesthetics. Then I find models who fit one of the specific styles, but my mind is always open and I go with my intuition while creating. I love combining the raw and dark with the soft and pure from the female.
What does gothic mean to you?
What I find beautiful about gothic is that it’s about dark colors and clothing, which are often seen as ugly or looking like it’s falling apart, but turning that into something that is beautiful in my eyes. To make something from nothing, to highlight the beauty that is hidden in the dark.
What message do you want to spread with your brand?
To step out of your comfortzone, dare to look outside the box and own it! I think that people don’t do that enough.
What are your goals and future visions for Gothiqa?
My dream is to have my own little shop, where I can sell my pieces and to connect with people that enjoy wearing it. It would also be great if Gothiqa became big, but that is not neccesarily my goal. My goal is to attract the people that really like and appreciate what I do.
Get to know Gothiqa more by listening to her spotify playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0DnUPiu4OlAQccFvmLl8Ht?si=p0w1M5DNQbaUw2gqLaLtNw&pi=e-pV-0Yd4-TACm
Follow her on instagram: @gothiqaarchive
Contact for inquiries: gothiqaarchive@gmail.com