GOOD READ

Designer Linda Skuja brings a tactile touch to her creations. We spoke about her fashion work, the craft culture in Latvia, and how she keeps her garments feeling fabulous…

Linda loves designing crochet patterns as she can merge her passion for garments and knowledge of construction into one

Photos: Inga Bitere

There’s no doubt, and this can’t be overemphasised enough, just how versatile crochet can be. From bright, bold granny squares to more structural, subtly-shaded creations, crochet comes in many shapes and forms, allowing designers to carve their own niche in a plethora of possibilities. One such maker, Latvian designer Linda Skuja, is hooked on the textures that can be created through crochet, a passion which has taken her from crafting at home to the catwalk…

For sheer glamour, Linda Skuja’s past collaborations with the fashion industry sound super-exciting. “I’ve worked freelance for several fashion designers, but my most memorable experience has been with Leila Shams –a New York-based designer that has been worn by celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Katy Perry, Vanessa Hudgens, Kelly Clarkson, and Nicki Minaj,” she explains. Linda was just starting to design her own crochet designs when Leila found her through Etsy, where she sold her patterns. “Leila really loved my work and asked to work for her Fall 2012 collection –I created several samples for her New York Fashion Week runway collection,” she recalls. “We continued our collaboration for her Fall 2014 collection as well. For me this was an exciting experience and a great dose of motivation. It boosted my confidence as a designer.