Koibird’s store in London showcases a new edit inspired by Eastern Europe

THE BIG four fashion cities, New York, London, Milan and Paris have been at the forefront of luxury wear for the past century. However, with the shift of technology and media, other countries are slowly creeping onto our radar. Scandinavian fashion is on the rise and over the recent couple of years Eastern Europe has brought us some noteworthy moments.

Clothes by Materiel Tbilisi

 Denim sip jacket and pleated front jean by Magda Butrym

Rewind back to 2016 when streetwear finally met high-fashion on a global scale, brand Vetements became a cult label. Founded by Demna Gvasalia, now Creative Director of Balenciaga, the world got a look not only to what Georgia has to offer, but the culture and fashion breeding in this country.

With all this in mind, Koibird founder Belma Gaudio is bringing the best of the east to the capital – not forgetting to mention she originates from former Yugoslavia herself.

Area sculpted sleeve cut-0ut dress

George Keburia double breasted blouse; Magda Butrym metallic ruched asymmetric skirt and Rosantica poker bag

“Yugoslavia went through a break-up in the early ’90s and was ravaged by a horrible civil war. My country then became Bosnia and Herzegovina, which I fled as a refugee in 1992,” explains Gaudio.

Having chosen London as her new hometown, there was definitely a part of her that missed where she came from. “Those days are long gone, but the memories and the nostalgia of that time remains with me. So it was natural for me to want to revisit the region and do it in a more positive, happy way, through fashion.”

Rowen Rose crepe de chine long draped dress; Magda Butrym chain
diamante sunglasses and Magda Butrym zebra pony boots

Rowen Rose tartan structured jacket, crepe de chine shirt
and tartan skirt with lace details. Photographer: Ina Lekiewicz

The new edit in Koibird is made up of independent brands and statement pieces you won’t have seen anywhere else. The edit is centred around evening-wear as our days are going to start getting shorter and nights longer – stand-out labels are New York’’ Area and Mach and Mach, a glitz meets kitsch brand inspired by the ‘80s.

Tailoring and power-dressing are a strong theme across the collections, especially seen in Matériel Tbilisi suits inspired by Soviet uniforms and handbags with links to Russian roulette.’’ 

Materiel Tbilisi button down jumpsuit and Chefanie swinging farfalle earrings. Photographer: Ina Lekiewicz

A notable feature of the Koibird store is that it transforms with every edit. This season the design has been inspired by the stereotypical chintz of Eastern European’s grandparents homes, whilst in keeping with the standard procedure to ensure the safety of customers during this pandemic.

Pierre Louis Mascia camicia reversible shirts; Area mini skirt with crystal fringe cut out; Magda Butrym black calf boots; Mehry Mu Lian mini opera bag and Chefanie pearl basket earrings. Photographer: Ina Lekiewicz

 

Noteworthy brands are Magda Butrym, a hyper-feminine eponymous brand founded by a Polish native. While Chakshyn, a brand exclusive to Koibird founded by Dima Chayun and Anton Yakshyn in Ukraine focusing on creating masculine clothes for women.And  Anouki, founded by Anouki Areshidze in Georgia who specialises in statement pieces in unusual fabrics.

by Imogen Clark