Designer Q&A with My Galavant

What's your name and the name of your collection?

My name is Sini Moilanen and I am the designer behind the womenswear label My Galavant, which is the diffusion line for high-end brand Tramp In Disguise. Our label specializes in printed garments and the new collection is called “Urubu”. The name “Urubu” comes from a tributary of the mighty Amazon River. The Inspiration for the collection comes from the jungle environment and rainforests around the river Amazon and the theme is clearly written through the prints of chameleons climbing on ropes, dancing bugs, butterflies and jungle plants.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Finland, in a suburban city called Espoo, which is 15 kilometres from the centre of the capital Helsinki. There I did my matriculation examination in 1999 and after that I had a gap year, which gave me the opportunity to think about what I wanted to do with my future. I decided I would like to have a future in the world of fashion! As Finland did not have many options for a higher education in this subject, I decided to move to Brighton UK to start my studying there.

Where and what did you study?

I studied my BA in fashion textiles design with business studies at the University of Brighton and graduated in 2004. After that I moved to London and started at the prestigious Royal College of Art – studying for an MA in fashion womenswear, specializing in knitwear design – graduating in 2009.

Where can we find your label?

You can find us online at www.TrampInDisguise.com.

We have a few stockists for the brand, Wolf and Badger being one of them.

What or who inspired you to go into fashion?

I think I have always been creative and I have been interested in clothes since my youth. When living in Finland, I wasn’t following trends but enjoyed going to flea markets and second hand shops to find my own unique clothes there. During my teenage years I also read a lot of foreign fashion magazines and got ideas for my own garments.

I used to use the ideas from the magazines at school, where I studied textiles. I learnt how to knit and make simple garments – I enjoyed these classes immensely and already at that time, the idea of doing fashion for my living came into my subconscious.

What's your biggest aspiration?

To have my brand sold all over the world in independent boutiques and bigger department stores. Also I dream of having a LFW catwalk show and to have my own flagship store in London.

Describe your style, In terms of your collections is there a trademark style, method or key fabric you would like to be known for?

The label is known for its colourful prints, which we design in our studio. Every collection has a unique theme which is reflected in the designs. The themes get their inspiration from the cultural heritage of different parts of the world or from the nature. The garments are designed for the 20+ target group, they have feminine silhouettes and the fabrics used have a gorgeous feel to them.

What can we expect from your next collection?

You can expect lots of prints and colour, which is our signature style! I will keep the theme a secret but I can reveal that nature will once again have a great part in it!

Which city inspires you?

London inspires me because there are a lot of different things happening all the time and the people and the cultures are all different. No one will judge here you by what you look like or what you are wearing.

How do you like to relax?

I like to eat some nice pescetarian food, watch films and documentaries, go to exhibitions and meditate. I also try to take care of my physical condition by going to the gym a couple of days a week.