““The environment plays a very important role in my creative direction. When I’m creating a new campaign I love to work always with natural spaces, not just because of the amazingness of nature, but also because each location is a memory of my life and that kind of closes the circle. ”
”

— Marina Duran

What was your very first fashion experience?

My very first fashion experience was actually while I was studying fine arts in Bilbao (Bask Country). There was a subject called “Materials” where we have to experiment with different techniques and substances. To be honest, it was more an excuse to put my hands on something that was rounding my head, fashion design and sewing.

How and when Sopadevodka's name and the brand came to life? What's the story?

It’s quite rare but the truth is that Sopadevodka was the name of my Instagram account even before I started fine arts. I was in high school, in maths class playing a mental game where I create nonsense new words, That’s how Sopadevodka comes to me. Four years later when I started with the fashion experiment, I knew the brand’s name was Sopadevodka.

Please take us through your conceptualisation processes. What inspires you?

My conceptualization process has changed a lot since the first time I designed to now.
My inspiration usually comes from my environment which includes experiences, feelings, memories…

To be honest, I’ve always tried to respect the conceptualization processes I was taught at fashion school but in every collection, the “main” piece comes to me in the first place and then the rest of the pieces are born from the original inspiration and that main piece. In my last collection for example the main piece was the “Caterpillar trousers”. Once that main idea comes everything comes easier.
Funny thing is that in my last collection, I wanted to create my first bag and I was so nervous about it thinking maybe It was too much. And right now the bags are by far the best seller of the brand.

Your intentions as you mentioned are to communicate and speak up, Please take us through the matters that are of your concerns, and that you’d like to be spoken more about.

I´ve always seen clothes as a communication path. My first intention was more unconscious, I was just trying to create all the pieces I couldn’t find out at any store. Then I started to focus on bold pieces that also respect the environment. I want to show that high design and sustainability can live together in the same brand. Of course, I see myself as just at the beginning of a long path, and as I grow I improve the techniques and make more precise sustainable pieces. I want to show a perfect union between technology and tradition, between innovation and natural materials. I know that can be seen as an absence of connection between my creations but I actually see it as a reflection of the times we live in.

Can you describe the ambience of your studio? What kind of challenges do you go through on a regular basis and how do you work through them?

I work in a small Studio in Santander (north of Spain) right now It´s just me so I make the patterns, and prototypes here and then work with local dressmakers to produce each piece under demand. What Im struggling more with are the big orders, because I work under demand so If one day I suddenly have 10 orders the Studio (me) kind of collapses a little. As a small studio the general challenges come from a very basic thing, the fact of being a single person. To be a businesswoman is so much different from being a designer and the first one It´s completely new for me so I'm learning as I'm working.

Tell us about the relationship of the brand working through Spain, and how the country is playing a role in your creative direction (if it is).

To live and work in Spain is a pleasure. Spain is a place full of inspirational people and places and full of art and creative artists who inspire me a lot. Also is a very comfortable place to work due to Its location and also to the fame Spanish fashion has in other countries.

Of course, as I said before the environment plays a very important role in my creative direction. When Im creating a new campaign I love to work always with natural spaces, not just because of the amazingness of nature, but also because each location is a memory of my life and that kind of closes the circle.

Do you fear anything of the world that is on its way to being experienced in the physical, What kind of sustainable practices you have gone through for yourself?

I live as sustainably as I can, first of all, I barely don’t use a car, Santander is a small city and the public transport is so comfortable and connects barely everything. I do dress only in vintage, small designers, second-hand and sustainable fashion. Also, I upcycle most of the clothes I get bred of giving to them a new life. I eat eco food most of the time and in general try to have a “Slow life”.

How much do post-modern concepts and philosophies impact the way you proceed with your ideas and objectives?

Post-modern concepts fear me a little if I'm honest but they also challenged me in a good way. Everything is going so fast these days and of course communication. I kind of fight with the need for immediate news.

The most extended philosophy of growing fast, creating something new barely every day to feed the anxiety of the visual culture consumers really disgusts me. On the other hand, there are new and growing groups and communities of people that are trying to fight against it and make everything comes back to Its natural flow. There’s where I want to be.

Last but not least… What innovation are you looking forward to incorporating in the coming future?

This 2023 I’m starting to experiment with Biodesign and also 3D print design. My goal for this new year is to create something 3d printed made of a biomaterial 100% sustainable. Im motivated by the idea of including fashion materials that have never been used before and also by my own learning. Last year I created the 3d printed bag in biodegradable resin and want to keep going on this path of futuristic bio accessories.