Interview with Radmila Lolly
Radmila Lolly is a classical singer, composer, couture designer, and soon-to-be-published writer. Shortly, she will release a novel that has been in work for more than eight years. She is a typical representative of artists who are passionate about their work. L'Officiel Cyprus is pleased to present an exclusive interview with Radmila.
Radmila Lolly grew up in a house filled with melodies that her mother self-composed. This childhood brought about her love for music. As a teenager, Radmila began formal vocal training and in 2016 she released her debut album, IV Short Stories at the Standard Hotel. It was also the turning point in her singing career, releasing the album in a concert at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York with the Scorchio Quartet.
For her second album, also released at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, Wonderland, Radmila served as the songwriter and co-producer. Her taste in music shone through the album, as she loved to fuse elements of classical and modern music. To improve her music composition skills, Radmila started learning a wide variety of instruments. But her “elementary knowledge of the violin, cello, drums, piano, saxophone, bass, and guitar” helped Radmila to be able to tell her story through composition.
Radmila’s mother is a painter and dressmaker. Watching her mother while growing up taught her how to sketch her designs. At the age of 18, she was designing her own clothes.
Radmila's initial collection premiered during Fashion For Peace's "World Fashion Parade" at Gotham Hall in 2016, and it was described as "excellent”,
adding that Radmila "is headed for an illustrious career." After founding her couture fashion house, Eltara Casata by Radmila Lolly, Radmila has been featured on several magazine covers and global publications, both for her couture designs and her music. Radmila's designs are influenced by her music, and these designs have been worn by supermodels like Miss Universe 2018 and both Miss USA 2017 and 2018, as well as famous recording artists such as Mya, Natti Natasha, and Bebe Rexha. Her collection has also been featured at the Barneys’ Madison Avenue Trunk Show, alongside designers such as Zac Posen, Naeem Khan, and J. Mendel, among many red carpet events, including the Daytime Emmy’s Ceremony.
And at the Miami Heat playoffs game, her gown design became a hit when Radmila appeared in a gown made from “14 XXL jerseys of various Miami Heat players.”
Radmila, you are quite the talent! You are a classical singer, composer, couture designer, model, and soon-to-be-published author. Out of all of your talents, which would you say is your passion, and why?
I don’t see them as individual passions but as one overall passion for art and storytelling. All my art forms feed and inspire each other and are intertwined.
Tell us about the novel you are about to release – what is it about, and why did you write it?
The novel DIVA corresponds to a self-composed album, film, and couture collection that all tell the same story. This was the first time I combined every one of my artistic mediums into a singular, interconnected project. The storyline follows two main characters through their lives, from the 1930s to the 1980s, and how their lives intersect. The overall theme is about how the things that we experience as children have the power to emotionally scar us for the rest of our lives.
Left: Dress, coat, and gloves - Eltara Casata by Radmila Lolly; Socks & Shoes - Kandee; Earrings - Oscar De La Renta.
Right: Dress - Allison Parris; Fashion tights - Wolford X Mugler; Scarf & bag - Christian Dior; Boots - Dolce & Gabbana; Gloves - Vintage; Sunglasses - illesteva; Coffee cup - Tiffany & Co.
When it comes to music, you have chosen the classical music segment as your own. Why is this?
Because I can only describe my story with my musical input.
You are a couture designer, amongst many other things. What is your favorite part of the process, and where do you hope to see your designs in the future?
My favorite part of the process is envisioning a design and seeing it through every step to the final product: from putting it down on paper as a sketch to the design coming to life to seeing it on the person wearing it and how it makes them feel beautiful.
What are your favorite and most minor favorite parts of modeling?
I think each outfit has a story, and it is my job to give that story a voice through the way that I wear it.
What does the future hold for you?
I will be releasing DIVA and Life is a Bridge, two of my interdisciplinary projects, taking them worldwide as residency shows and hopefully seeing them on the big screen.
Model - RADMILA LOLLY @radmilalolly
Photographer - RHONNY TUFINO @rhonnytufino
Stylist - RADMILA LOLLY @radmilalolly
PR - WAVEMAGS AGENCY @wavemags
