Five minutes with...Riyka

Last week I caught up with the talented duo behind clothing brand Riyka. Riyka is a brand that combines different materials of the highest quality, either new or recycled and designs them into simple shapes. The latest collection is 'all about the jig', which is fitting as the brands aim is to conjure the dynamic feeling that the Mods felt whilst listening to R&B records way-back then.

1. Where does the name Riyka come from?
RIYKA is the nick name my great grandmother had, who I am named after, her name was Rebecca, and everybody called her Recca, but I changed it a little to suit me more.

2. Who/What has been your biggest inspiration for the Spring Summer 2013 collection?
It would have to be the music, R&B and soul, funky beats always inspire me

3. The top five people (dead or alive) that you would invite to a dinner party with Riyka?
Elvis Presley, Martin Luther King Jr, Jimi Hendrix, Andy Warhol and Fela Kutti...that would make a very strange mix...

4. Who would you most like to see wearing the new collection?
Anyone that feels the groove.

5. Your favourite song right now?
I have been listening to the Monkees a lot, I wouldn't say there is a specific song

6. Give us a day in the lfie of the creative team behind Riyka...
We don't really have a daily routine, I usually work in the studio, and Vedran is at home working on the business side of things, as we are a couple, I think it's better if we work separately, as we can get on each others nerves. I am more on the design and technical side in the studio, and Vedran makes sure I don't get too ambitious with my ideas. The daily routine is ever changing, since we are a small company, for example; one day I will be cutting fabric in the studio, and the net day taking call in's for press, and the same with Vedran.

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