Janja Videc: with a love for minimalism and multifunctionality

Within her unique aesthetic, Janja Videc avoids seasonal and color commands, her minimalistic clothes are made of natural materials and can be worn in many ways. Behind each of her timelessly designed collections stands a female archetypal story, derived from the observation of modern society, which is intertwined with her own, so the personal approach, the expressions of her inner experience, can be strongly felt in the creations.

Witches Lookbook, her first collection inspired by witches, won an award at the Ljubljana Fashion Week years ago. The story of archetypal witches continues with the launch of an independent brand Witches sisterhood.

We talked to Janja about her view on fashion and her multi-functional assistant Galaxy Z Flip4.

Are your fashion stories very special? Why and after what?

Janja Videc: Thank you. I suppose it's because I delve into each story a lot, and above all I touch on topics that are not the most common in the fashion world. At first glance, the fashion and spiritual world together with minimalism and sustainable principles may seem like a strange mixture, but this is me and I stand behind it. I believe that it is felt that I come directly from myself and my inner experience.

Why witches?

Janja Videc: Let me first say that I see the witch as an archetype and that I also researched her from that point of view. "My" witches have very little to do with pop culture. I am close to the integrity of the witch who follows herself, despite the fact that she is therefore sometimes rejected and misunderstood. It draws its strength from within, it does not allow itself to be molded.

You say that you advocate a "slow fashion" approach. Can you explain a little bit?

Janja Videc: The slow fashion approach is an alternative to fast fashion, i.e. depersonalized mass production. It is about producing less and more slowly, and therefore there is a greater emphasis on the quality of materials, on details, it is important that everyone involved in the process of creating clothes is fairly paid for their work and that they work in orderly conditions, in the foreground is transparency. In my case, it is also shown by the fact that we make almost every piece only after the customer orders it and that I only choose certified sustainable materials.

But how do you look at actually everything around us, since almost everything that surrounds us is the result of mass production?

Janja Videc: We cannot avoid this, but we can buy more consciously, less but with better quality, so that we also bring into our personal space a product made with more soul, and above all, what we really need.

How do you choose the products you buy, what is important to you?

Janja Videc: If I can, I really like to buy something that was made here, even better if I know from whose hands it came. I practically only wear my own clothes, with the exception of some pieces from my designer colleagues, I try to buy sustainable accessories, I mostly use home-made cosmetics by small Slovenian creative women, and when it comes to technology, the longevity of the product is important to me.

But how do you choose a smartphone? What is important to you?

Janja Videc: I am an esthete and I choose mainly based on the latter, but due to the nature of my work, a good camera is also important to me. Until recently, I did not know that at Samsung they started to include sustainable principles in the production of phones, now that I know this, I would look primarily at this.

Do you also look into the background of product manufacturing? Durability, ecology, ... How satisfied are you with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 phone?

Janja Videc: Just through the presentation video for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 I discovered sustainable components that Samsung is increasingly introducing into its processes, which I find commendable and exciting. In general, when buying any product, I pay attention to this, considering the state of our planet, this seems to me a necessity, for all of us.

What did he do to convince you that you like it the most?

Janja Videc: First of all, it convinced me with a well-finished design, after a few months of use with a battery that lasts a very long time, and the Flex Cam is something that I can't even imagine my work without anymore, because now I can take pictures of my pieces without the help of a photographer . I can also create a mini studio for which I no longer need a tripod, which is really wonderful! I am also very satisfied with the quality of photos and videos, especially at night. What excites the surroundings is, of course, the outdoor screen, which everyone wants to try.

Have you personalized your phone?

Janja Videc: For the external screen, I chose a purely minimalistic black and white background, which is most in my style. I always prefer less to more.

Which feature excited you the most?

Janja Videc: An absolutely external screen, now that I've tried it, I'm not changing it anymore! It comes in very handy for taking photos, it's great that I don't have to awkwardly hold the phone in my hands during meetings, and of course its multifunctionality, because I often do two things at the same time. I often split the screen in half, most often one tab is dedicated to listening to music or some inspiring podcasts.

Does it also help you at work or does it work best for fun?

Janja Videc: At work, the function of taking pictures from a distance, without hands, comes in very handy, as I can quickly take pictures of my styling on myself.

What are you currently creating?

Janja Videc: I am devoting myself to furnishing my first showroom on Tržaška cesta in Ljubljana. I have participated in collectives in the past, which was a great springboard and for which I am grateful, but my long-term desire was to create my own space where candles and essential oils are lit, where customers drink tea in peace and where the whole experience of trying on clothes is a little more adapted to the slow fashion approach.
I'm also starting a program that goes one step further than dressing the body. It is a program for women, where in a closed intimate group we will devote ourselves to exploring and empowering our relationship to the body. For years, I have watched beautiful women in changing rooms who see their bodies as a burden, as unattractive. Unfortunately, we women have internalized this collective pattern created by our system, which is not our natural state. I feel a mission to contribute my part here, not because I am completely unencumbered in this area myself, but because I would like to travel into my depths in a group of like-minded women and because I have never seen anything like it.

What are you looking forward to?

Janja Videc: I look forward to a new story in my new premises. All those who will come to visit and bring their energy.