Gentjana
Begu

Gentjana Begu is not scared of the future. In fact, the 25 year old Central Saint Martins BA Womenswear designer embraces it in a collection inspired by her Italo-Albanian upbringing, and developments in wearable technology. ‘I took all of my shapes and my initial inspiration from [Italo-Albanian culture],’ she says. ‘But I’m really interested in the future, and how fashion will be in a couple of years time.’

After studying fine art for a year at the Academy of Fine Arts in Milan, she moved to Central Saint Martins to ‘be in a place that you feel free to express yourself, and there are no limits to creativity and your identity.’ Collaboration has long been intrinsic to Begu’s practise; a year-long placement at the London-based brand Samuel Guì Yang taught her that ‘you can’t make everything happen alone. You need other people that support your work, and love what you do.’ For her current collection, Begu has collaborated with ETH Zürich University to develop mechanisms for a futuristic donut-shaped headpiece which will form her centrepiece.

After graduating, the young designer wants to continue her collaborative work through the launch of her own label.

Ella Slater, BA Fashion Journalism
@ella.slater