FILEP MOTWARY:
FASHION DESIGNER, BLOGGER, ILLUSTRATOR,
PHOTOGRAPHER, JOURNALIST
(Filep in Vogue Greece, March 2010 portrait by Vassilis Karidis)
Born in Cyprus with Syrian Nationality Filep Motwary now lives in Greece.He started off as assistant stylist for the Greek edition of L'Officiel followed by four years as first assistant designer to Couture House Loukia.
In 2004 Filep moved to Paris where he worked as an intern for John Galliano, Dior Couture and later chez maison Chloe. Since 2006, he signs “Un nouVeau iDeal”, the blog that Dazed and Confused recently voted on the top ten fashion blogs in Europe.
He continues as women's designer along jewellery creator Maria Mastori focusing on Couture.
He is also a solid contributor for a variety of publications abroad: ISTEROGRFO, THE POP "A" Magazine , Dapper Dan, HUSK , VOGUE.IT; and has interviewed most of the designers, photographers and artists internationally : Yohji Yamamoto, Maison Martin Margiela, Lacroix, Juergen Teller, Rick Owens, V&R, John Galliano…. (Around 120 names)
“ Un nouveau iDEAL”, his blog, was recently included in a survey by The LONDON College OF FASHION to be featured in a publication by Dr Julia Gaimster, released 2011.
The blog is included in the TOP 10 fashion blogs for DAZED & CONFUSED in 2009, winning 3rd prize in PARIS’ GOLDEN BLOG AWARDS October 2011 . Also it is listed among other prestigious websites including on Nichola Formichetti, Another Magazine, Dazed, Mariano Vivanco, Diane Pernet...
His two films, "Sophia" (2009) and "Sarka"(2010) have been presented on Vogue Italia and a variety of places local and internationally including Centre Pombidou in Paris and Michael Kakoyiannis Foundation in Athens.
In September 2010 Motwary participated along with Maria Mastori at “BEYOND DRESS CODES”, an exhibition curated by world acclaimed Lydia Kamitsis (Musee des Arts Decoratifs Paris.Louve) among other designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano….
In June 2011, Mastori*Motwary Studio participated at PRINTS! at the HASSELT MUSEUM in BELGIUM along Dries Van Noten, Diane Von Furstenberg, Hermes and many others.
Their creation "NUPTIALIS" was also the cover of the exhibition's catalogue publication.
Nuptialis is also the main subject of a new fashion film, directed by Suzie Q AND Leo Siboni under the tittle "NUPTIALIS: IS THIS REAL LIFE", filmed with the support of Vogue Italia, Moonwalk Films and The Stimuleye.com
The film won the "YOUNG TALENT AWARD" price at the 4th edition of A SHADED VIEW ON FASHION FILM, curated by Diane Pernet on October 7th 2011 at Centre Pombidou in Paris.
Watch the film on Vogue Italia or Vogue Paris.
http://www.filepmotwary.com
FILMS OF MASTORI*MOTWARY STUDIO
*SOPHIA / Couture FW 2009/10: directed by Janos Visniovszky (photo above) and presented in Paris as past of ASVOFF by Diane Pernet.
*SARKA: selected by FRANCA SOZZANI and Diane Pernet founder of ASVOFF as part of a FILM FESTIVAL supported by VOGUE Italia in Milano on May 25th 2010.
SARKA /LIGHT / ASVOFF one minute series with VOGUE Italia
The initial idea behind the short film “SARKA 23 JULY 1677” was to present the S/S 10 clothing and jewelery collections by Athens-based designers Filep Motwary and Maria Mastori, through a visual experience. The starting point was the drama surrounding the works of Mastori/Motwary and their love for cinema. The film is a small sample of a longer version, that captures the drama of a love affair, the memory and the loss.
Winner of YOUNG TALENT PRIZE at ASVOFF#4 / CLICK HERE
MASTORI*MOTWARY COLLECTIONS
HOME ALONE, collection SS2011 Photography Thanassis Krikis
(Nuptialis,Couture FW 2010.Photographed by Thanassis Krikis)
(Filep Motwary Couture F/W 2010 photography Thanassis Kirkis-above)
"Sarka, SS2011.Photographed by Filep Motwary)
(Sarka SS10 backstage.Photos by Sonny Vandevelde)
(SOPHIA F/W 2009/10 photo Costas Avgoulis)
(SAME TIME TOMORROW SS2008, PHOTO YIORGOS MAVROPOULOS)
(SAME TIME TOMORROW SS2008, PHOTO Thanassis Krikis)
(NOW I KNOW YOU KNOW FW2008/09)
(SAME TIME TOMORROW SS2007, Photo by Mara Desipris-above and Costas Coutayiar below)
(FROST FW 2006/07...this is how it all started for Mastori*Motwary Studio)
A CONVERSATION: DIANE PERNET interviews FILEP MOTWARY
Sunday, January 07, 2007
DianePernet: It’s been a while you are designing, can you trace your path a little for me?
FilepMotwary: My mother is a dressmaker and her work is something I have always worshiped. Soon after I graduated from both the fashion schools I attended in Milan and Athens at the age of 21, I started working as a stylist’s assistant for the older Hellenic Version of L’officiel. Soon after I realized that it was not enough for me and at the same time I hated carrying all these bags of clothes, although I respected them all. I quit and did my first job interview at the studio of Athenian Couture designer Loukia, where I was hired and stayed for almost five years.
My personal line “Soit l’autre” was launched synchronized , the same period. I started selling my one-off pieces in my favorite boutique in Athens Bettina (Comme Des Garcons, Sophia Kokosalaki. Balenciaga…). In 2004 I wanted to test my guts, so I waved goodbye to Loukia and my line and moved to Paris. During my first week I managed to get an Internship with Lanvin, something that at the end didn’t happen because I was no longer a student, so no college could make me any papers of support. I enrolled myself in some photography school in Greece, got the certificate and managed to get another internship at John Galliano and Christian Dior.
I stayed with the team almost five months and then moved to Chloe for another four. It was Phoebe Philo’s last season in the House. One year in Paris was enough for me to taste it. I returned to Athens where I started collaboration with Jewellery Designer Maria Mastori. So far we presented five collections during the Hellenic Fashion Week.
(Jewellery from Sophia collection FW 2009/10. Photography Costas Avgoulis)
DianePernet: What are you trying to express through your clothes?
FilepMotwary: I have always been a dreamer. I fantasize my heroine in film-scripts. I even dialogue with my image in the mirror. Each collection is a personal scenario or my true needs for the period I am going through. Although surrounded by plenty of people everyday and have many friends who love me, truthfully I never felt that many of them are capable to touch my very soul and understand what I am going through during each period, when I am trying conceive my next collection’s direction or theme. Only Maria managed this and actually by making clothes, I feel that there is a real task on this planet for me giving me the right to continue being myself.
DianePernet: Now that you are officially on the calendar in Athens, how do you see that changing your life?
FilepMotwary: I see it as an easy way to present my work. It’s much more less money needed than if I chose to have a show individually, outside the Fashion Week. It’s more practical.
DianePernet: What is step one when you begin a collection.
FilepMotwary: Women are my A to Z. Naturally I need to have the theme ready. Something that demands many women involved, having the same beliefs with each other and share equal values. After that I move into putting together a collage by chopping images or textures. This is the only way for me to see if the vision I have in my head is clear.
DianePernet: You work closely with Maria, how the two of you collaborate?
FilepMotwary: Of course we have meetings sharing our ideas, keeping or rejecting them. Once the collection goes in the making, we rarely use language or voice. We just look at each other and communicate with the eyes. We send our entire assistants home, we put on music loudly and we work, work, work, in different rooms. Every once in a while we visit each other, sit and exchange opinions on one another s, then we laugh, hug or cry. We are very sentimental with each other. Some people even said that we are lovers being so close, but that's not something we think as funny. It’s our inner colors that match. I am a Scorpio and she is a Cancer…I love it when I hear her murmuring a song we are listening to while working.
(VIER FUCHSE VOR FUCHSBAU COLLECTION SS2009)
DianePernet: What is your dream for the future?
FilepMotwary: If you are asking me whether I want to make it big, well YES, I do. Not because I dream of yachts or buying a house though. I was never interested in something materialistic as such. Big for me is being good in my work , that one day a museum will honor my years of career. Or being 80 years old, stepping in the museum and watching fashion students, sitting on the floor illustrating my work in their sketchbooks. This is big for me and the people who really love and want to understand more about fashion.
Note:The copyright for this interview belongs to Madame Diane Pernet and A SHADED VIEW ON FASHION
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MASTORI*MOTWARY STUDIO, 20 Alopekis street KOLONAKI/ATHENS P.C 10675
TEL/FAX +30210 7295077
(Illustration by Filep Motwary)
ISTEROGRAFO/ PHILELEFTHEROS, a supplement
FASHION ISSUES edited/curated by Filep Motwary
FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO CONTACT OR WANT TO BECOME A CORRESPONDENT
FOR "uN NouVeau Ideal " please do not hesitate writing an email by motwary@gmail.com
Filep! I can't find your contact info on the site, but wanted to know if you could review issue 2 of WORK magazine. It deals with sexuality and Identity.
I would love your thoughts, and possible feature on your site!
www.theworkmag.com
All my best,
Gloria
www.theworkmag.com
Posted by: Gloria | June 21, 2010 at 21:24
Hey!
car park magazine is finally out...photography, artwork, curatorial work and a sniff of fashion!
Blog follows soon...cannot hide our love for printed matter!
C.
How can I send you an image?
Posted by: Constantine Tsapaliras | July 03, 2010 at 15:21
nothing in the world is impossible if you set your mind to do it.
Posted by: lacoste shirts | July 06, 2010 at 06:09
i love your blog
Posted by: mancandy | July 27, 2010 at 00:30
hi! this is my last project ICEBERG. A collaboration with Markos Andriotis
http://theracebehindthehill.blogspot.com/2010/10/iceberg_17.html
:)
michalis
Posted by: michalis baboussis | October 18, 2010 at 01:06
Every mountain open, water bridge - across the bridge, on the mountain, and often there will be a new world
Posted by: supra shoes | December 23, 2010 at 04:09
Your blog is my inspiration hub. I'm a fashion design student of 4 years ready to graduate in 3 months - your blog has kept me energetic to get through my degree. Thank you.
Posted by: Christina Exie | July 31, 2011 at 15:18
Thank you for your wonderful note Christina.
I wish you all the best in your future in fashion. Keep visiting.
Yours
Filep
Posted by: Filep Motwary | July 31, 2011 at 15:23
I embraced Filep's in 1 heartbeat.
He is a wardrobe and a wardrobe living inspiration for my inner.
And probably yours.
Con spirito,
Alessandro
Posted by: Alessandro | September 01, 2011 at 22:10