Natalia Fedner is a Los Angeles–based couture designer born in Ukraine and raised in the U.S. She studied at Parsons School of Design and trained in haute couture in New York and Paris. She is best known for inventing Stretch Metal and creating avant-garde designs worn by A-list celebrities, including Beyoncé, Shakira, and Kylie Jenner. It was truly an honor for me to interview her on my blog and share her journey as an immigrant—one that deeply resonates with my own. Sharing stories like hers and empowering women, especially immigrant women, is something I’m proud to do.
Client Services – Natalia Fedner Couture
📞 (818) 835-3819
📱 @nataliafedner
✉️ info@nataliafedner.com
Natalia Fedner Questionnaire
Q. Your designs have become iconic among celebrities. How did you build a brand that resonates so strongly with them?
A. When I first created my brand, my goal was very simple: create a fashion business where I could design and make whatever I wanted to and have enough people buy it so I could keep doing it. I knew the odds were against me so I figured if I was going to invest in myself I would do it on my terms. I also knew that since I didn’t have a lot of capital or connections, I had to get my designs in front of celebs and taste makers as soon as possible in order to create momentum and sales. I took advantage of the “industry town” reputation of Los Angeles – yes everyone here is either in entertainment or knows someone who is and I invented a new textile, that happened to be sparkly and body conscious. These two things, paired with my haute couture meticulousness and workaholic personality made it possible to create a loyal following among stylists and celebrities. You have to have a good product, be reliable, be hard working and fast, and also be amicable and a good communicator. I think this is true across all branches of fashion, but especially so when dealing with iconic individuals who are used to getting the best of the best on a daily basis.
Q. When dressing celebrities, how do you balance your signature aesthetic with their personal style?
A. I am an artist. It’s taken me almost 10 years to finally admit that to myself- and to feel comfortable saying it out loud. I don’t run my business like a typical design house and I don’t run my business like a corporate entity. I run my business like an artist – and the art always comes first. You can commission an artist to make you a painting, but you don’t tell the artist what aesthetic to do it in – as the artist already has an aesthetic. It’s the same with me. I’m happy to create designs within a celebrity’s personal style, but it’s on my terms. If they’re famous for wearing lavender, I’ll make them a lavender chain dress. If they only wear asymmetrical short tops, I’ll make them an asymmetrical short top from a textile I designed and created. And yes this means I have turned down some amazing projects – because I was just not the right fit and I knew it. When someone comes to me with a project that doesn’t make sense with my own aesthetic, I often try to connect them with another designer or tailor who is better suited to the task.
Q. What initially inspired you to become a fashion designer?
A. I truly don’t know because I started doing it at such a young age – it’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment. The closest I can come up with is my mother teaching me how to draw when I was 2 years old. It kept me busy while she was at work. She taught me how to draw women’s faces and then I started drawing Barbie-like women and they were always wearing a different outfit. My mom is creative and fun loving and I think that energy flowed into me. Mix in a heavy dose of imagination, ADHD, and love for all things beautiful and the path to fashion design was conjured up in front of me before I even knew which direction I was walking in.
Q. Where do you usually draw inspiration when creating a new piece?
A. I adore experimenting. I love getting my hands on new tools and materials – and just messing around in my design studio. Empirical research is so much fun. Like most artists and designers, I love going to museums and being in nature. Not any one thing inspires me at this point – but rather the perpetual challenge to create something new – that’s my inspiration.
Q. Where do you see your brand and career in five years?
A. I see myself as being one of a handful of designers who break the mold as to what a “fashion designer” is – and help elevate fashion into an art. Commercializing and mass production have done some serious damage to the industry in the past 20 years. The pushback of “creative” but ultimately unwearable or unattractive clothes was not great either. I think beautiful, awe-inspiring clothes can sell – and do sell. Just look at Iris Van Herpen. Speaking of, I hope that within 5 years I will finally be able to collaborate with her – because she is a true revolutionary of the industry and has been leading the charge to elevate fashion into an art for years. I see my brand expanding well beyond the limits of fashion – into products, interiors, and even architecture. And I hope to write a book about this magical life I’ve had – and the many people who have helped me on my journey from Ukrainian refugee to designer to the stars.
