Aska who is sometimes called Jelena

2. What is your fashion memory?

I wouldn’t know if it can be placed as a fashion memory but it certainly is one of the funniest and most bizarre things that happened to me showing me exactly where I want to be and what I want to do. And I was only three years old. Growing up in a family in which art and aesthetics were highly appreciated and living to the fullest was truly a blessing, especially in so called dark age of communism which we all recall with a certain nostalgia whilist your individualism was cherished and nourished. To clarify some things, I have to note that I started to talk when I was six months old and when I turned one I was already writing and reading which was all probably pretty scary to my family and surrounding in general, but I wasn’t aware of it, though I have vivid memories of everything happening. It was the most natural thing in the world that a talking loaf of bread still unable to walk is learning how to draw with its mum. I guess the impeccable style and a luscious but elegant beauty of my mother permanently deformed me when it comes to aesthetics and fashion itself. Remember when I said about encouraging individuality? Well one day my wonderful but apparently awfully naïve mother asked her little monster daughter what coat would I like to wear, she will make it so she gave me the paper and pen, because we drew literary everything. Whatta rookie mistake my mum made. I doodled something and preciselz explained that I want a camel coat with bubi collar and rounded red buttons. Funnz thing is that I enjozed waz more spending time with bot of mz granddads then with other children, so it’s probably where I picked up that sense for „pensioner’s lively colour palette” which I still prefer to use and wear. Unfortunately, I don’t remember my mum’s facial expression and she unfortunately didn’t have a chance to have that girly daughter, but I vividly remember that camel coat with round red buttons which she made for me. And more important is that I still remember that feeling of being completely satisfied and proud. In that very moment the unbreakable bond between fashion and me was born and is still growing very strong. So I can freely say that no matter the fact that we are the ones creating fashion, fashion also creates us.

3. On which article you are the proudest of, meaning that you invested the most of you?

In each and every single one I’m working on at the moment. Disregarding the form or a theme I approach every article with the same passion, seriousness and responsibility. I let it guide me, torture me, obsessing me and then I’ll start obsessing it, so the moment I sit to write it down, feeling becomes almost cathartic. I have no children so I can’t claim anything, but hypothetically speaking, it’s like giving a birth every time all over again.

4. What attracts you the most to the person you’re doing an interview with so you wish to do a great story on it?

Courage, individuality, honesty, being true to yourself and certain principles. The more complicated, the better.

5. If you were a guest editor in Vogue France, how would you like to be presented by Emanuelle Alt?

As Aska who is sometimes called Jelena, and she loves dogs and cats a lot, sometimes people too. As someone who is here because she wants to believe that fashion maybe cannot save the world, but it surely is our favourite weapon in making it more beautiful and finding a courage to go on every day.

6. I see you as a founder of some luxurious magazine like CR Fashion book. Do you already have a concept how it should look like?

I can’t say much on that one at the moment, but certain plans and craving do exist.

 7. “How to be Parisian wherever you are” was explained by CDM and Sophie Mass. What and how it will all be put in your book?

How to survive wars, breakdowns and still stay stylish and beautiful wherever you are.

The concept of the book is an easy read but not shallow which I really liked, regarding the fact that the authors managed to circle it all, from fashion to philosophy, lifestyle, provocations and inevitable humor. I do believe that a book of the same kind but related to our living areas would be having a different balance, but I am also sure that we would be having plenty of the material to make it. French style is presented as completely casual which in a way is, but French ladies hide well their fitness routines, hairdressers and fillers. On the other hand, here is a different story “the more the merrier”, and our girls and women, generally speaking are way too much into having very attractive appearance which is also the consequence of cultural and historical inheritance which is kinda sad. French ladies stick together in silence, united by “less is more” stylish form, and here it’s all so different.

8. Three most important styling tips by Aska?

 1)     Choose colours of your clothes and hair by your tan and not solely according to your current mood because the path from petal to fading rose is tricky.

2)     Never reveal too much, always point out only one specific part; for example, if you decide to go on legs, God please don’t push up your breasts up to your chin. Just don’t. Pack your boobs for some other occasions, or the other way around; if you decide to point out your cleavage, cover up your legs. And to repeat don’t push up boobs as balloons.

3)     If you have role models don’t copy their style, you will look pathetic. Use your role models as an inspiration.

9. Where do you find all those inspiring people to interview so we can go and check out their Instagram profiles this second?

As I said on FM42 fashion panel, I let my impulse, feeling and some knowledge that I have to guide me, along with the sense of aesthetic. It’s crucial to know the difference between being objective and subjective, because what I personally find deliriously interesting doesn’t necessarily mean to be interesting to readers. Interesting and inspiring people are everywhere, on social networks, in the magazines, in everyday life but Instagram is the one which gives the insight into the visual identity of the person. In the voice, mime, body language, so you either get hooked up, snubbed or you just feel nothing. No impressions at all.

10. If we were in Paris, where this conversation will take place?

We would probably be having a glass of wine or two, but when we will go for a walk, we would be walking by the Siena river, exploring the labyrinths near the Hotela Particullier Montmartre so we would magically be popped up in Jardin de la Nouvelle-France. Those small hidden gardens, I think you would agree with me on that one as a true lover of French culture, are having much more charming spirit which we expect from Paris in an almost rude way. After that we would simply have to go to the 145 rue Lafayette and be dazzled by the magic of the building and doors without door handles which are keeping so many secrets and which were described as “building with a moth who are an entrance to hell”, by famous Umberto Eco in his book “Foucault's pendulum”. And after that I am afraid I will be needing another glass of wine if you agree?

11. What is your favourite timeless piece and what is your favourite trendy one?

Men’s jacket and men’s jacket.

12. Scent and melody of a perfect Sunday morning?

My Sunday is most of the time a working day so as expected the scent would be a smell of coffee and when it comes to the melody, it depends on how I feel at the moment, but probably would be silence.

But if you referring to a lazy day off vibe, which is Wednesday in my case, scent remains the same, but mixed with the smell of my perfume which stayed in my skin only when it comes to melody I will sing this time, so for those who survive can tell stories.

13. Fashion icon outside of the fashion world who is your cup of tea?

Is there really anyone who is out of the fashion world?

But if I have to pick one, it would probably be Marlene Dietrich.

14. Pick a Fashion week. Which show, who will be sitting next to you and what will we see in your Insta story?

I couldn’t reveal who would be sitting next to me, but on that other side could be you for example; Haider Ackermann and Lacroix, Paris.

15. For what kind of occasion would you wear a Saint Laurent tuxedo?

My world is a bit specific when it comes to things like that so I don’t really need any special occasion if I feel like wearing Saint Laurent tuxedo in that very moment. I would sit all alone or with my dog, pour myself a glass of wine and play Leonard Cohen or Bowie.

16. Are you drawn by painting, sculpting or photography?

When you do and live aesthetics you get drawn to everything and anything related to it. I do draw and paint ever since I started to talk; photography we all do more or less in this Instagram era and when it comes to sculpting- rarely. I more of a silent observer. I do enjoy cooking a lot which is also a sort of creative expression, but I feel my personal living space way too intimate so I don’t feel like making it all to guest my friends but the other form of opening up and intimacy.

17. You are both, Aska and the Wolf, so which is your favourite fashion combination with mix and match system?

Men’s suit, both jacket and pants, white shirt slightly unbuttoned, sunglasses which I wear literary even when I go throw the garbage out. Nothing too tight or too much. I need to have freedom both in clothes I’m wearing and so in life, which also confirms the thesis that both, fashion and us, we shape each other and we grow together.

18. Are the butterflies sneaky indeed?

Oh yes, but luckily they don’t have a long lifespan so we revive them according to our needs.

Author  Nataša Milojević

Interview with Aska Wolf - Jelena Soldatović