Born in the Soviet Union, Svetlana Licciardi began sewing at 10 years of age. Growing up in a communist country, ready-to-wear was not easily obtainable and offered little selection. Self taught, Svetlana’s love of beautiful fabrics made sewing a necessity to create her wardrobe. At the age of 15 she was designing, and by the time she was 20, she received recognition from the renowned German Sewing Magazine, Burda Moden, placing First 2 years in a row in their annual sewing contest. The magazine celebrated Svetlana’s design and technique and gave praise to her accomplished embroidery work that today is nearly a lost art. Shortly after, Svetlana began designing for celebrities and the nouveau riche of Moscow.
Inspired by the costumes of the Russian Ballet and Russian Folk Art, Svetlana developed an interest in the history, structure and make of garments by tailors and seamstresses of their time period. Each costume she hand crafts is thoroughly researched discovering the detailed formation, purpose of the construction and wear of the designs for that period and region. Svetlana is passionate that the authenticity in her costumes remain true, handcrafted and one of a kind as they would during their era.
Svetlana creates exquisite wearable art specifically designed for special events. From period to modern costumes, each high quality piece is beautifully handcrafted of fine natural fabrics such as silks, velvets, satins and morays, embellished with glass beading, Swarovski crystals, fine laces and other materials that suit the time period she creates from. She strives to bring the art of costuming alive to those who love and appreciate fashion.