Clean lines, muted

colours and bright

accessories define the

style of Natali Rideg.

She makes clothes for

active women who know what they

want, just like her. The Budapest Times

caught up with her in the Pazicski

showroom, where her designs are sold.

How did you discover your passion for

designing?

My family contributed greatly to that.

They owned a textiles factory so I

always felt an affinity with clothing.

Then I began my training as a stylist.

During that time I was selected for a

three-month internship in Paris, which

gave me a good insight into the world

of design at Pierre Cardin and Jean

Louis Scherrer. It was a very inspiring

period although it only lasted a short

time. After I graduated as a stylist I

attended many further education and

design courses. Today I would say that

Im neither a stylist nor a fashion

designer but that I simply design

clothes.

What kind of clothes do you make?

I create wearable, comfortable clothes

from natural, light materials such as

linen, cotton and silk for full-blooded

women who would like to wear some-

thing unique rather than mass prod-

ucts. I would describe the style as

casual, or rather as luxury-casual and

as basic at the same time. My clothes

dont wear the wearer. They put the

spotlight on the women wearing them

and their femininity, rather than

limiting them in the expression of

their personality. The designs dont

just appeal to one age group; everyone

from 18-year-olds to my mother-in-law

can find something for themselves

here. The pieces are also very adapt-

able; they can be worn with simple

accessories during the daytime or be

dressed up for more formal evening

occasions. Thats why I would describe

them as basic. The women wearing

them can run riot.

Where do you get your ideas from?

Old film stars inspire me a lot. Divas

like Marlene Dietrich, Zsa Zsa Gbor

and Elizabeth Taylor. They had incred-

ible personality and aura. I combine

that sophisticated, glamorous style

with the needs of working women in

my collections. The Rothschild Klara

Salon in Budapest, which had and has

a great tradition, is one of my sources

of inspiration as is the haute couture that

I experienced in Paris.

What are your collections like?

They are capsule collections that

consist of around 15 to 25 different

designs. Around 12 to 15 pieces are

made of each, with sizes running from

36 to 42. I always give my collections a

name. This time for Es-tu un Ange its

Village Romance in the Big City.

What does that cover?

Village Romance in the Big City means

clear forms, prints and a lot of white

with powerful orange and paprika-

red accessories. I like playing with

strong, intensive colours. We recently

shot the photos in Pula (two photos

on the right), near the Valley of Arts,

and it was a lot of fun. The good

thing about such photo shoots is that

Im a stylist myself and can always

imagine the big picture. That enables

me to tell the professionals exactly

what I would like and how, which

makes things easier for both sides.

What about your other label Dudu&T-rex?

The T-shirt label takes its name from

my two hairless cats Dudu and T-Rex,

who inspire me every day. Its a much

bolder and more playful line than Es-

tu un Ange with a lot of colour. With

Dudu&T-rex everything goes. It helps

me to develop my whole personality.

Everyone has two sides to them, and

Dudu&T-rex is the counterpoint to

Es-tu un Ange. Having said that, the

pieces from the two labels can be

combined really well.

What are your plans?

A webshop. It seems that more and

more people are shopping online.

Thats why Im working on a

webshop, where people will be able to

buy pieces from my own collections as

well as pieces designed by other as-

yet relatively unknown Hungarian

designers. It will go online in two to

three months. I also work together

regularly with other designers, which

is something that I enjoy a lot.

How do such collaborations work?

Well, such collaborations normally

happen while the collection is being

designed, which widens the possibili-

ties. Last winter, for example, I worked

together with Rka Vg, who

designed shoes and bags for my collec-

tion (pictured). I think collaborations

are the future of design. I try to get

someone new on board for each season

because it strengthens both brands.

Thats what I hope, at least.

Unfortunately I didnt find anyone for

this spring but in the autumn I will

probably work again with someone

whose name I dont want to reveal yet.

In any case its good to be open to

everything.

Do other countries also attract you?

Of course I would like my designs to be

sold in other EU countries. I suspect

my designs are rather too wearable

and not artistic enough for Paris,

though. Germany would be a possi-

bility and in Asia theres an open

market thats curious about everything.

But Hungary will always be my focus

and my clothes will continue to be

made here exclusively. I always want to

work in a way thats reconcilable with

my life, my family and my heart.

Ines Gruber

BZ

T/A

aro

n T

aylo

r

THE BUDAPEST TIMES

CCUULLTTUURREE

11669 MAY 15 MAY 2011

For the full-blooded womanDesigners in Hungary Part X: Natali Rideg and

her labels Es-tu un Ange and Dudu&T-rex

Pazicski BudapestDistrict V, Henszlmann Imre utca 3. Tel. (06 -1) 411 06 31/32

Open Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm

Website: www.es-tuunange.com Webshop: www.etuashop.com

Natali Rideg hastwo labels with verydifferent personalities, Es-tu un Ange and Dudu&T-rex

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