Sofia Ravasová: Blending dance with upcycled fashion

How long have you been upcycling clothes?

Sometime after high school, I started learning to sew with the help of my mother. Before that, I used to just buy a lot of things in secondhand shops and beg her to adjust them according to my ideas (laughs).

Could you describe the whole creative process from the idea to the sewing/upcycling of the final piece of clothing?

It varies, but mostly it starts in the secondhand, when I see an interesting piece of clothing, so I imagine in my head how I could transform it. Then I’ll close myself in my studio and see what I can create. Quite often, I’ll mess up something and come up with something better, so I keep an open mind with the process. Just go with the flow, like with freestyle dancing.

Do you treat all clothes the same or do you have more respect for some pieces? For example, when you sewed a century old traditional dress into a skirt and a crop top.

I try to approach everything with as much respect as possible, even if I buy a piece for 2 Euro in a secondhand. For me, pieces hold great value in their history, their uniqueness. I realise that I may not find the same levis anywhere else. I often think about their story – what they went through, who owned them, what they experienced. It fills me with a sort of joy and responsibility not to spoil it. So yes, I’m very careful when I work with them so I don’t mess something up.

But I must say I had great respect for the traditional dress – it was embroidered by hand. I tried to come up with something to make full use of it but in a more modern way.

Do you have any competition in Slovakia in the field of upcycled fashion?

Definitely. There are many skilfull designers in Slovakia. Everyone is focused on something different. E.g. Bagbet does great things with shirts. For me, a big wonder is MelisaMinca, a Slovak working in Berlin.

Does the world have any upcycling icons? Are you inspired by them?

I follow a lot of Instagram accounts. Especially world designers whose work I like, but I really try not to take too much inspiration from them. I want to create something of my own. I take a lot of inspiration from my childhood and what we wore.

Who do you like to sew for the most?

For everyone. I don’t have a barrier for this, but naturally I am mostly approached by my peers and people who like more street style clothes.

This summer, you released your latest collection on your instagram account @fosia.clo. Are you working on another collection?

Yes, I have multiple projects started. One for instance with the Czech graphic artist Kate Bohemia, who I consider a fashion icon. I’m working to make my stuff faster because I can’t keep up with leading my dance group the way I want. So I’m slowly starting to work with a tailor, who can implement my designs faster, and I can simultaneously work on other projects. 

The next project I’m working towards connects dance and upcycled fashion, and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ll finally be able to combine the two things I love. Especially after the long corona era, when it all goes away, I will be able to go artistically crazy with my dance group. 

Photo: Petra Augustini

Dancing is in your family – your sister Silvia is a dancer and choreographer like you. What does dancing mean to you?

It will sound like a cliché, but you could say dancing is my life. It opened the door to so many worlds for me. It taught me to work hard, to perceive myself and also my surroundings, to work as a team and especially to create. All this stems from me creating choreographies and costumes from an early age. For me, dancing represents freedom, both inner and physical.

Photo: Petra Augustini

What led you to share the fact your younger self lacked self love on your Instagram?

I think I’ve grown up and I’m not afraid to open up and talk about sensitive topics about me. I feel a responsibility towards children and my students who follow me and I’ll gladly help make their path to self-love easier. And it was also a relief for me. 

Would you like to add anything else?

Love yourself. Create more. And let yourself be a child.

Photo: Petra Augustini