BL: What project are you working on now?
EM: We have recently finished our 1st collection since rebranding from “MEM Couture” into “Eric Matyash“. Right now we are occupied with a few styling-related projects and some style consulting as well. In February 2013 we are traveling to New Orleans, taking part of an event related to the Super Bowl, showing our most recent collection “La Métamorphose”. We have recently been invited to show our work many places worldwide, from London and Paris, to New York and Dubai, but as young and independent designers we are unfortunately not able to cover so many expenses related to every single project. Hopefully someday we will…

BL: What is your favorite place to work on a project?
EM: Design projects we work on usually consist of several stages. At some points, especially creative parts, location is not the most important thing. You can get inspired anywhere. You absorb the world around you. A good cup of tea/coffee always helps! Of course the production part requires enough space and equipment. Our current working space is far from an ideal one and definitely far to small, however we have managed to create some interesting designs there. An ideal one would be located in a spacious loft in Paris, equipped with large tables, at least a dozen of tailor’s dummies and a model living there 24/7. Oh, and a sofa for our greyhound and borzoi!

BL: If you had an unlimited budget what kind of project would you like to work on?
EM: An unlimited budget is an all-time dream, so let’s dream! We hope one day we will be able to create our own conceptual collections every season, showing our vision of beauty and selling it well. It would be great to focus on couture only, as it is all about perfection – both creatively and technically. But nowadays the prêt-à-porter dominates the world of fashion. Our wish and a long-term plan is to live and work in one of the capitals of fashion. Honestly, Paris has always been a #1 on our list. Oh, a good stage costume design project from time to time would be an absolute pleasure!

BL: What under-appreciated artist or work do you think people should know about?
EM: Josipa Lisac. She is an extraordinary Croatian musician and a highly appreciated artist in countries of the former Yugoslavia, but probably almost unknown worldwide. Her voice, appearance and music are completely one of a kind. Google her! Speaking of fashion – you can find so many creative young fashion designers everywhere in the world. For example, our favorites in Serbia: Ivana Pilja, Marko Mitanovski and Ana Ljubinkovic.

BL: What’s the first thing you think about when you embark on a new project?
EM: We almost think and work as one. We love the same kind of aesthetics and have similar vision on projects. The first question we ask ourselves when we start a new project is: “What is the story we wish to present?

BL: 2012 is almost over what are some of your favorite highlights as an artist/group?
EM: The most important highlight of this year is our rebranding. In 2004 we showed our 1st collection and named our label MEM couture. A few years ago we felt that name started to limit us in some ways… We did not wish the name would shut our work in a particular frame and stick any kind of label onto it. We do not wish to be limited with the type of fashion we create. Sometimes you get privileged to work on couture designs, but sometimes you enjoy producing ready-to-wear. Therefore a word “couture” as a part of our  name was not the best idea. After never-ending brainstormings we decided we wish our name would be personalized, unique and without unnecessary ballast. “Eric Matyash” was born on 17th of September 2012. Furthermore, our new collection, the 1st one after rebranding, got inspired by changes in our work and our lives. The end is also a new beginning. La Métamorphose!

BL: What makes your work stand out?
EM: When working on a project of our own we never try to please anyone or fit into a particular frame. We follow our instinct and remain loyal to our philosophy – storytelling.

BL: Give us one fact about yourself that will surprise people?
EM: Even though we both are devoted to fashion Matyash studied international relations in politics and gave up as he missed creativity, while Eric thought he would become a specialist on bagpipes and Celtic music.