Is it possible to be young and yet already successful, to live by what you enjoy, to be loved for what you do? Sure it is! Proved by today’s guest of BATIMAT RUSSIA – Ms. Victoria Kiorsak. Who always is in avant guard of everything new and posh that the industry can offer to a professional: studies new technologies and industrial production, participates in TV projects as a designer and lifestyle guru, holds workshops and masterclasses, acts as a jury member in professional competitions, takes part in exhibitions and shows.
Victoria is an interior architect with a very active lifestyle and distinctive style in her designs, the founder of Victoria Kiorsak Interiors and Architecture, art director and founder of Silverdragon.london. She believes that the secret of her success is that she managed to create her own unique and recognizable style, and let customer decide whether to like it or not.
Tell us about the latest trends in interior design?
We live in an absolutely new and interesting reality. Our time gives us great opportunities. Almost no borders – we can travel anywhere by plane or by phone. Products are not just unique pieces anymore – they are art and they are limitless in a way and they demanded to be BESPOKE. And interior design and architecture are going the same direction.
Interior design and architecture today are created in a scale to be significant yet desired almost in every part of the planet. Projects and designs that I create for my London clients will also look great in New York, Los Angeles, Dubai and Moscow. In such specific locations as India or Indonesia it may be necessary to adapt the design a little to local traditions, but this can all be solved by decor. And such Asian hot spots like Singapore or Hong Kong have already reached the world`s scale, they are not only guided by international trends, they have long become trendsetters in interior design.
Most profound and elegant interiors are created as a comfortable environment and only then – as a fairly universal solution, that also fits the client’s shape if we may say so. Beautiful designs are seen and recognized anywhere in the world, regardless of borders and traditions. I would call this particular trend the base for interior design and architecture nowadays. I am sure that it is the direction we are all heading.
Which style is most in demand today?
In my opinion, today the two styles are most popular. The first style is an explicit reference to the mid-century, which is present in most modern interiors and in all products, which leading furniture brands have announced in recent years. This is where furniture production is now unfolding, and we see an explicit reference to the style in almost all modern interesting novelties. The second style is a new blow of brutalism. Of course, this is another brutalism, a lighter style, adaptable to modern environment and modern requirements to lifestyle. Now the comfortable environment prevails, and this trend will develop.
These two styles are now at the peak of form and meaning. Styles that involve celebration of life and comfort. Both of them assume a look from the interior to the exterior. It is like a gaze turned from the inside to the outside world. This is an important quality – to be able to turn a glance from oneself to the world. Thus, we create an environment where nature rules the show.
What makes it of comfortable to work with such an upscale clientele?
First of all and the most important when the customer understands and fully embraces the fact that we are professionals and that any intervention within the project is not in his own interests. I can be very opinionated but yet it’s in his best interests.
Then the project budget. The project always goes beyond the budget normally 10 to 15%. We do our best to stay in it but it is construction and contractor's job, we do nothing that really goes under time and budget, we just do our best. Therefore, understanding these two points – trust to professionals and know your budget – assures comfortable work. For me there is nothing but a project when I’m working, I’m not trying to find a reflection of myself in it. I’m trying to create an ideal customer reflection, with a reserve for development, within the designated budget and under signed terms. It’s best when no one gets in the way.
Who do you look up to in the world of interior design?
Katharine Pooley, Jean-Louis Deniot, Kelly Wearstler are some major names in our industry. People who managed to use the situation and their talent, both in terms of business and design. People who engaged in interior design in a very smart perspective, under the right sails, with the right partners, with the right investments and with a well-built team. Total geniuses in terms of developing their business from a marketing point of view and business perspective. Yes, it is a team work but very professional one. They know how to be the core of the company and yet create great designs. And the Style is easily perceived from one project to another, it develops and evolves, while remaining unique.
I admire a lot of interesting designers like Canadian team George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg or Korean designer Teo Yang, who is famous for his innovative approach to design. He creates quite interesting projects, commercially correct and very balanced in style and is loved round the world not only at his home country but even Britain.
What is the best way to work on the project?
It very much depends on what kind of project it is and what are the terms. If it is HoReCa site and the lease is already ticking, nobody wants to wait even for a shortened version for the stratum, we approve the basic concept with the customer and sign the floor plan and then go into construction site and the rest comes alone. If the timing is strict we do everything very fast and sometimes we have to literally live at the office 24/7 including weekends.
Speaking standard options it takes two to four months depending on the size. After the concept meets the mood board and a floor plan, we develop presentations and after they are signed, we show a trial 3D visualization. Sometimes in V-Rey or even video. Sometimes we do several edits and then we issue a complete solution. The last stage is a set of documentation, plus a list of finishing materials and equipment with total quotations.
Before signing the technical shits we try to manage a budget. Budget is a key of the project, we must approach it consciously in order to avoid misunderstanding and alterations. When client has a deadline we come to the construction site from the second stage, and rest just goes at the same time. We are adaptable and resourceful because.
What is the difference between Russian and international design?
The difference is in the approach. Russian designers should keep in mind that when we create a design, an architecture, an object, we are writing the history of not just one country, but the whole world. The Russian clientele can afford to invite a foreign designer, and Russian designers are very popular and fiercely practicing abroad. And working with foreign companies or customers is a continuous process of self-education. It is necessary not only to be aware of what is happening in the world scene and to be a part of this process, and to understand cultural codes and look at the world globally, as borders no longer exist.
I could also say that in my international practice, the opinion of a professional is very much valued – in Russia the situation is opposite. Normally Russian designers are trying to express themselves in the project. I think that the project is no place for the EGO, when designing you should be devoted to the project itself as an idea and then just translate it open into the world. I try to explain to customers that the most important thing is the project itself and everything else is subordinated to its interests. I have substantial international experience and I collaborate with foreign companies a lot and my back ground and up brining is European– this allows me to integrate skills that foreign designers have honed over hundreds of years, enrich my knowledge and bring it to my projects. Only passion for the project and constant self-education creates a truly unique design.
What are the qualities of a talented designer and head of a design studio?
In today’s global context, the designer must be flexible yet feel the tempo to anticipate the future and create trends. A designer is a kind of person who is able to foresee the future, create trends and, to some extent, manages this process of creation. When creating a project, a building or an object, he must think for several years and even decades ahead, since the entire process – from sketch to project implementation – takes at least several years. And when the project is implemented, it must remain relevant for a long time. Undoubtedly, national identity is now woven into general outline of the world design, each country still has its own traditions.
Being a designer is not so easy as it might seem at first glance, and being a head of an interior design studio means being a businessman in an economy surviving hard times. Not only be talented creator, but also very high skilled manager. Few people can manage both jobs at a time successfully. As a head of interior design brand you also have to be familiar with marketing, finance, have excellent negotiator and lawyer skills – this is more of an businessman, with a very little creative part. Ideally, you can share some functions with your partner in crimes – a partner, who is ready to develop your business with you and constantly improve his own knowledge and skills.
The design studio is a very specific business. You have to be both a designer and a businessman – it is not an occupation but a personal characteristic, I would even say – a very specific personality configuration. Not everyone is able to combine these two different capacities.
Share your creative plans for the near future.
I always have a lot of plans. One global project finishes, while two new ones are ready to take part. In couple months we are opening the Art and Design Gallery in Moscow in Sadovye Kvartaly residential complex. Online school for interior design launches in a few days. Everyone who feels like trying how it fits can join us, and specialists will get the opportunity to improve their level of practical skills.
And, of course, one of the significant events for us is the international construction and interior exhibition BATIMAT RUSSIA 2019 – from 12 to 15 March in the Crocus Expo IEC. I will have an opportunity to present interior concepts on my two personal stands in Complex Solutions exposition. Now we are very closely considering partners for joint participation to introduce new technologies and new trends to the public.