Daily Inspiration: Meet Matilda Marginal

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matilda Marginal.

Hi Matilda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I love fashion since my little age. Back in Russian 80s – 90s, my mother was fashionista sewing a wardrobe both for herself and for me. Those pieces were unique and edgy. Very unusual for those times. So, I used to look different. Then it became a habit to express myself through the clothes and styling, to hunt, to search for something beautiful and unusual. I was doing home fashion shows for my parents and their friends, using my friends as models, playing with my mom’s wardrobe and styling them, showing to them choreography, and even doing rehearsals beforehand. That was a big deal). I remember even which music I selected for those runways. In early teenage, I was making clothes for my Barby doll from scratch.

In adult age I always styled myself and looked for something new, it was never enough for me what they have in clothing stores and fashion boutiques. I played with vintage, but it was not enough.

When I moved to the USA (4 years ago) I spent few months without a job before I get my work permit. And the only thing I did that time is sketching my ideas and little by little I started sewing clothes for myself. Then I found Russian program for fashion designers and graduated last September with my first collection. During that program, many things happened.

Today I am working on my third collection and just opened my first showroom in Denver.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think it’s smooth and my path is easy and pleasant. And interesting. I love everything what I do, enjoy each day of my life. It’s never the same, it’s always new, it’s my joy. I guess it’s always easy when you enjoy the process. Of course, I can remember some difficulties but looking back I take them like a challenge which let me feel the life. They let me be aware of my life and decisions I make every day.

The study takes a lot of energy but that was such a pleasure. So, for me it was one of the most wonderful periods in my life.

That time I’ve got some health issues and doctors didn’t know what’s going on. I was not able to stand for more than 5 minutes. Twice I was flying to Russia to my school and making my first collection using a wheelchair. I take it like a spiritual growth, when I found what I do wrong, how to be a better person and be happy. Then I heeled by myself. It took long though… About 2 years I had problems with my legs.

I had times when my right hand couldn’t sew because of the stress. And now my wrist hurts because I overworked it. We should be more gentle to myself.

What else… Pandemic! But again… I did a huge progress in my art being isolated! And I don’t think it was a struggle or even challenge. It was special time for me. 

Sometimes I feel other people’s disrespect, ignorance, and consumer attitude but at the same time, they are teaching me how to defend my art and myself. 

There were many moments somebody would call struggles, but I just take them like a chapters of the movie where I am the main character. And it’s damn rad. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am founder of the local fashion brand MARGINAL. It is avant-garde, deconstructed clothes which are crafted by upcycling of other clothes, household items, and other things. Damaged jackets, raincoat skirts, dresses from coats, mattresses, trousers, socks, and even gloves. This is the wildest ones. 

Other ones are t-shirts with patches, shorts from the trousers, vests from jackets and other pieces which got the second chance to be loved. 

Upcycling is the best way to get the unusual shapes and new solutions saving the planet from pollution of insanely huge manufacturing of the mass market. 

Each item is the art piece with its personality and story. Such product doesn’t have an expiration date. It will never get out of fashion. 

Despite of such extraordinary design the clothes is very comfortable and easy to wear. 

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love people. They are kind, easy-going, smiling. Sometimes flaky though but it’s ok). And the nature of course. It’s stunning. 

I dislike dry climate which made me look 10 years older)). Just kidding. It took a while to learn to moisturize my skin. 

And it took a while to learn to drink enough water as well! And I don’t enjoy alcohol here because hangovers are fierce. 

Contact Info:

• Email: info@marginal.store
• Website: https://marginal.store
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matildamarginal
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matildamarginal-103724351363565
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/marginalmatilda
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaPYaSLg2j66r_iPcsFRIAQ
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/marginal-denver
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/nnaska

Image Credits
Jonny Edward
Matilda Marginal
July Preobrazhencki
Lulu
Anastasia Antonova
Fred Langer
Chayadol Sundarapura
Allie Famulare
Trinity Thomas
Garret Martin
Tiaja Pierre
Charlie Price
Ruth Rochie
Jill Eitz
RJ Rivera