With their extensive catalogue of collections, Ukrainian label TTSWTRS, founded by Anna Osmekhina, presents a unique ‘wearable art’ approach to fashion. Anna is an Eastern European artist with a strong fashion background that has had a significant impact on her modern, innovative vision in today’s society.
TTSWTRS is remarkable for its optical illusion of a bare torso covered with tattoos. The brand was founded seven years ago and has quickly become a fan favourite, with 17 sales locations in 12 countries. The secret to the brand’s success is that Anna designs garments that she likes, and her style is now adored by millions of people all over the world.
“I believe that women possess some kind of cosmic energy and can conquer the world with it, but prefer to use it for peace. We’re so possessed by the idea of AI that we often forget the powers and potential of our own. This is how we in TTSWTRS remind us to never do that — and never underestimate the power of Humanity” says Anna Osmiekhina about the new collection.
Each collection since 2013 has featured a combination of pieces adorned with tattoos, but the most recent capsule from TTSWTRS, called ‘AI met a Woman’ showcases the ideology of Artificial Intellect meets a woman.
Previously speaking with Anna in an interview for Modèle Magazine, she uncovered her inspirations, goals and the incorporation of tattoos to create wearable art. In this latest interview below, Anna describes the developments of TTSWTRS and the concept of ‘AI met a Woman’.
TTSWTRS has been around since 2013, what do you feel you have achieved with it over this time?
We were very lucky as we have been selling our first collection in Colette, and then we were presented in the best concept stores in the world. Now we are opening our offline stores where we feel it is necessary. We are making so many exciting projects with international companies, as No More Plastic and Parley for the ocean. At the same time we are observing the new technologies and recently created a VR fashion show and the fashion movie in digital reality. We also reduced the number of units in the collection from 120 to 40 pieces. In TTSWTRS we are playing our own game and trying not to be a hostage of the trends and this is the greatest and most beautiful achievement.
You say the name TTSWTRS stands for TATTOOSWEATERS, how come you decided this?
Back in 2013, we were not going to exist as a brand, because whoever gives the brand such a name in its mind. The name appeared as we made a series of tattooed sweatshirts of hoodies and mesh bikes, mostly for our friends, in collaboration with a very cool tattoo artist. Later we decided that the concept to mix tattoos and fashion is quite unique and interesting. The name is a little unpronounceable but already recognizable enough, so we agreed not to change it. This is how the TTSWTRS name was created.
The latest capsule ‘AI met a Woman’ unlines the TTSWTRS woman, can you elaborate on this?
TTSWTRS woman is illogical and at the same time sophisticated. Hence, the pantsuit with a body print on the inside, and the re-interpretations of the classic black dresses with robotic details.
She uses her “armour”. It reflects in detail — the patterned leather back of the dress, the lining of the jacket, and the belt on the suits.
She is strong and vulnerable. From this notion appeared the print on the overall, leggings, tops, and dresses — that were created in collaboration with 3D artist Taimur Akbar Khan – concept artist based in Pakistan, whose areas of focus are sci-fi robots, futuristic designs, and forthcoming materials.
She is complex and controversial. Thus, the statement pieces in the collection are black lacquer items with AI-inspired prints that contrast with the elegant lace pieces.
Your pieces have been spotted on such celebs as Grimes, Lena Perminova, Kourtney Kardashian, Sita Abellan, Lisa Owen, Tommy Cash, Ksenia Sobchak, Nicki Minaj and Winnie Harlow and many others. How does it feel knowing these influential people love your designs?
The most exciting was when Grimes texted us on Instagram, sent her order number, and asked to send it on the day of the shooting. That was a big day for us and we didn’t believe it at all. That was a great honour for us as we didn’t expect this.
It’s said the brand’s DNA is the abundance of beige imitating naked skin, basic colours, and tattoos – how do you feel this is translated into all of your collections?
We slightly stepped away from “pure” tattooing and rarely used this concept in our recent collections. We felt that our clients missed it a bit and decided to create a capsule collection in collaboration with iconic tattoo artists and created the made a capsule of “classy” TTSWTRS pieces such as hoodies and bodysuits. I hope I managed to convey the beauty and coolness of tattoo artists into this capsule.
Do you have many plans after this latest collection? If so, can you let us in on any details?
In TTSWTRS we are working hard to become more sustainable and we want to start recycling our old clothes, now we only do this with our packaging. Globally we would like to reasonably close zoos all over the world and make consumption to a minimum due to digital techniques. We would like to be happy and loved and do everything in a thrill.
Conquer the world by creating beauty.
Great content! Keep up the good work!