"Nothing beats sausage and wine" - Svet24.si

"A year ago, you introduced a new fashion, socks with sausage and potica motifs. What was the response?

It's almost been a year since the first "Kranjska and potica socks". People have welcomed them warmly and already know about those "socks" with Kranjska sausage, potica, and Cviček, which makes me very happy. That they caught on or at least were noticed. As for the reactions, people were surprised, sometimes they found it unusual...

But you didn't stop at these two motifs. What other ideas came to your mind?

Everything bears the Slovenian signature, as they are made and designed in Slovenia, have an ECO-certificate, but for me, the story and message are most important. My creativity works 24 hours a day, and now I can say that the freshest motifs are Cviček and Rebula, and Idrija lace is also coming, which I designed for Idrija, and of course Teran! I hope I manage to delight all "sausage lovers" before December."

How do you choose your motifs? You probably have a thousand and one ideas...
It might sound simple, but it's an extension of studying material culture in ethnology along with "trends". Of course, the patterns and motifs derive from Slovenian cultural heritage, but we keep pace with time and fashion; currently, I'm finishing a series of wine socks – Cviček, Rebula, Teran. Before that, we had potica, Kranjska sausage, and honey socks. Literature is also helpful, for example, Dr. Jernej Mlekuž's research – Venček domačih: predmeti, Slovencem sveti (A Garland of Home: Objects Sacred to Slovenians). I often ask my Instagram followers what they would like to wear or what Slovenian symbols mean to them. The answers always surprise me, sometimes make me laugh. They would like proteus, ski jumpers, hayracks, Prekmurska gibanica, or prosciutto. There's a lot of material, but I'm taking it slow. In 2021, Slovenia will be the European Gastronomic Region, so Slovenian dishes will soon be released – through socks.

Who takes precedence for you? Winemakers, food, or something else?Currently, I wanted to complete the garland of noble wines, Cviček, Rebula, and Teran, something for everyone; Styrians will soon get their turn... Definitely. (laughs) Food will play a bigger role in 2021 when Slovenia becomes the European Region of Gastronomy. I think I will create products that will promote Slovenia in their own unique way, "potica on socks." Think of some national dishes... You will definitely see them on my fashion products!