Having studied under the tutelage of Raf Simmons and Viktor and Rolf at the University of Applied Arts Vienna in the early 2000s, Ukranian-born Petar Petrov’s success was written in the stars.
Upon graduating, the designer served the women of Vienna designing from his apartment before launching his eponymous womenswear brand in 2009. An ode to his mother – whom he studied as a young boy in Bulgaria while she worked as a tailor – the brand fuses feminine fluidity with meticulous tailoring.
Over the past decade, the label has carved out a clear identity with colour central to his consistency and innovation; each season, palettes range from rich earthy tones to a rainbow of secondary shades. Be it party, office or off-duty dressing, Petrov has all bases covered: His pieces are truly multi-functional godsends... It’s all in the styling!
What's the mantra you tell yourself first thing in the morning?
New day, new challenge.
How do you take your coffee?
I don’t actually drink coffee, mainly because I am trying to be healthy. I love fresh juices and would much prefer pressed celery juice – it sounds strange but it’s delicious!
If you weren't doing what you're doing now, what would you be doing instead?
I’m always jealous of my artist friends as they seem a lot less stressed than I am! I think I would still be designing though; whether that be furniture, pottery or even glass. In another life, maybe I would run a small bed and breakfast.
If you could only keep one outfit in your wardrobe, which would it be?
I like to keep things simple.. so for me, I’d have a pair of white jeans and an easy oversized long-sleeved shirt... Nothing too fancy!
Who's one person you'd love to have dinner with?
Bette Davis – she just epitomises Hollywood in my opinion, and I’m sure she has a few stories up her sleeve.
What's the main thing you would like to achieve this year?
We are focusing on the continuous growth of the company; our goal is for each collection to be more successful than previous seasons. We have just introduced outerwear.
Who would you want to record your audio autobiography, voice-wise?
David Bowie!
Why did you end up doing what you do?
Because creativity is addiction and I’m addicted… Actually, I was always interested in fashion and my mother is a tailor by profession, so I was constantly surrounded by clothing and creativity. I decided to study fashion at university and fell in love with the process and became addicted to creating new designs I was proud of and here I am 10 years later.
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More 8Qs:
+ Anya Hindmarch: "I dreamed of being an opera singer"
+ Alexa Chung: "Nobody has a mantra - except for people being interviewed!"
+ Sarah Staudinger of STAUD: "It's fair to say I am constantly caffeinated"
