MAGNAT DRESS: From Fabric Scraps to Corseted Couture – A Candid Talk with Olga
Amid the July heat, when the air is filled with the scent of linden blossom and the faint aroma of freshly-pressed silk, designer Olga works in the light-filled MAGNAT _DRESS showroom, confidently turning every challenge into beauty: only yesterday she was sewing children’s dresses “from scraps,” and today her corseted creations are flying to New York and Milan. Her formula for success is bold and straightforward: listen to women, strive for a perfect fit, and never be afraid to start over. We spoke with Olga about the power of first dreams, the secrets of an ideal corset, and the ambitious plans of a brand that has already become synonymous with confidence and celebration.
1. Olga, please tell us how your journey in fashion began and how the MAGNAT _DRESS brand was born.
My road started with children’s clothing: I literally put looks together “scrap by scrap.” When the war began, part of my finished stock ended up in occupied territory, and the first year was the hardest. I decided to change niches, invested time in learning, made countless mistakes, but thanks to them I realized my own strength and my clients’ needs. That’s when MAGNAT _DRESS appeared. Inspiration comes from customers, and my team gives me faith in every step.
2. What does creating cocktail and evening dresses mean to you? What feelings do you want to give your clients?
Every day there are fittings in the showroom, and I see a wealth of emotions—from delicate girls to beauties with curvy figures. We all want to look amazing. My task is to highlight strong points and gently adjust any nuances. When a man first sees his beloved in our dress, it’s like a new first date; when a mother sees her daughter in a wedding gown, there are tears of joy. We don’t invent a new image for a woman; we enhance her natural beauty.
3. Corset garments are true art. How do you choose materials and patterns to achieve a perfect fit?
A corset is a fine specialization that few ateliers take on. Thanks to experience, our pattern-makers refine the patterns so that the silhouette remains elegant while being comfortable. A properly selected bone and the right fabric make the piece flawless.
4. The collection you’re presenting this summer is inspired by graduation and wedding celebrations. What symbols or details did you weave into these dresses?
Summer is associated with light and festivity, so we focus on white and champagne shades and add light powdery, sky-blue, and soft green tones. We wanted to create a sense of weightlessness: deeper slits, airy fabrics, and silhouettes that let you move freely.
5. Your philosophy is to help a woman feel comfortable and feminine. How does this show up in your designs?
The main thing is to listen to the client. I don’t just implement my own ideas—the client’s every wish is taken into account. Thanks to this dialogue we constantly improve patterns and fabrics, and marketing decisions become a natural extension of the process.
6. What is the greatest challenge and at the same time inspiration when working on a new collection?
The hardest moment is the start. Every day brings huge responsibility: communication with people, selecting fabrics and trims, creative searches. Each look goes through several rounds of testing until the fit becomes perfect.
7. When a client tries on a MAGNAT _DRESS gown, what emotions would you like her to feel?
Above all—confidence. Our pieces are not for everyday wear: on her special day a woman wants to feel luxurious, catch admiring glances, and keep the best photos. The main thing is to listen carefully to her wishes to create a true wow effect.
8. How do you see your clients? What traits or values do you want to highlight in them with your garments?
My clients are the best, and we understand each other perfectly. They want to accentuate their advantages and sometimes hide small “feminine moments.” Our task is for the client to leave happy and choose our dress for the most important events of her life.
9. Do you plan to expand the brand’s assortment or add new lines?
Yes, expansion is already “knocking at the door.” First and foremost this concerns sizes: we receive plus-size requests every day, so this is our priority No. 1.
10. How do you see the development of MAGNAT _DRESS in the next few years, and what role does your team play in this process?
I started my business with one roll of fabric for a single dress. I moved step by step, through mistakes and uncertainty. Now clients far beyond Ukraine love our pieces, and the team is gradually growing. We plan to scale further because we want even more women to fall in love with MAGNAT _DRESS. And it truly is team work—from production to marketing.