Tsolo Munkh: AW14/15
Swapping life in Paris to life back in her native country of Mongolia, fashion designer Tsolmandakh Munkhuu (Tsolo Munkh), brings a unique element to her work. fluoro spoke with her about connecting with the industry and the spiritual element of her designs.
After spending time creating garments in Paris, Munkh chose to return to her home country of Mongolia to be with her family. Working in Mongolia brought a unique perspective to her collections, yet also proved, compared to life in Paris, a challenge. “In France, we have all the materials. To pursue my label in Mongolia wasn’t easy at all. Sometimes I had the impression that I was being punished. I felt alone, far from everybody and everything,” says Munkh.
Reconnecting with the industry by returning to Europe twice each year to show her collections during fashion week. “I get to see the world of fashion differently. France, is the country, where people who like the Tsolo Munkh brand get to see and touch my creations,” she says.
Munkh’s collections have a spiritual element to them as she develops collections instilled with meaning. “I inspire myself from visuals and Buddhist images. It’s spiritual. It gives me luck,” says Munkh. Taking from her inspiration Munkh develops collections bring together elements from art – such as painting and embroidery – with fashion to create her style. “I create my clothes by seeing the role of art. Otherwise there is no point doing it,” says Munkh referring to the importance of how fashion and art work together in her garments.
Tsolo Munkh’s AW14/15 collection brings together elements of her spiritual inspiration and looks to the concept of previous lives. The collection includes a unique form of kneaded felt, created by stretching sheep’s wool across a honeycombed leather structure. The leather and woven wool are folded to taken on organic forms. The volumes are made clear with an extreme stylisation and certain pieces are reversible or able to be positioned at will.
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