Bangalore fashion week: Who is Bozena Carter?

Name: Bozena Carter
From: Leeds, UK
Label: Bo Carter
About: Bozena Carter’s move to fashion designing is an interesting trajectory of events. Bo, as she is popularly known, always loved designing clothes on very willing models — her dolls. A call for entries by the Leeds Fashion Week in 2010 had her husband egging her to volunteer for it and the rest, as we’d like to say, was the beginning of a fairy tale. All set to showcase her collection at the sixth Blenders Pride Bangalore Fashion Week, here’s the designer in a Q & A with After Hrs

First off, how did participating in BFW come about?
I nearly came to showcase in BFW last year, but my visa didn’t get issued in time, so I never made it. I always wanted to come to the city, so I was really happy when the BFW team invited me again.

Q: As a self-taught designer who didn’t know tailoring when you started, how have you evolved since the first fashion show?
A: I am learning every day. We have got a saying in UK, “Every day is a school day” and I keep learning. I make things wrong, then I have to correct it and next time I make it right. I love playing with fabrics and it’s fun. Sometimes not knowing how to make everything seems to work for me.

Q: What is the collection you will be presenting at the Bangalore Fashion Week?
A: I’ve called it a fusion collection and it is very much inspired by this trip to India. It’s full of colours and my favourite PVC and for the rest, you’ve got to wait and see it.

Q: What does the Bozena Carter label stand for?
A: I value ethics and I am against animal cruelty. I never use leather or fur, instead I love plastic-looking garments. I love colours and unusual fabrics and I hope the Bo Carter label is unique and different.

Q: Your official website mentions your previous stint as an accountant. So, does the logical accountant in you rear its head when you are creating a collection?
A: I let my creativity go wild when I make my garments, but yeah, I am a logical person who loves numbers too; I still work as an accountant.

Q: You are an ideal example to show that one needn’t necessarily go to a design school to become a fashion designer. That said, do you miss having a technical education in the field?
A: I do and I don’t. I know that if I have all the knowledge I would be able to make clothes faster; however, I think I may then lose my full creative side. Not knowing how to make stuff brings new ways of making stuff and I do like that bit. I love doing things ‘wrong’ to prove they can be done that way.

Q: Though you are a late entrant in the field, you sure are making a name for yourself. What would you owe it to?
A: Believing in dreams and my dearest husband! He is the strongest believer in me and the greatest support I could ever ask for.

Q: Do you believe that international exposure helps a designer’s perspective? Do you keep yourself updated with international events? And where have you showcased your collections till date?
A: Yeah, absolutely. I love international shows so much. I love travelling and I learn from each trip and show new things and I meet so many lovely, inspired people. Showing my collection around the world widens my audience and I love that aspect.
mahalakshmi.prabhakaran