Tina Kalivas
The Tina Kalivas label is bold, quirky, tailored yet playful and organic. It expresses a fascination for other worlds and cultures. The skills of authentic crafts-people are employed to finish the garments with a hand-touched feel. An example is Spring Summer 2008, where Tina collaborated with a group of Afghani refugee women who embroidered traditional, colourful rustic embroideries, to adorn the tailored garments. More recently Tina employed the skills of African fabric dyers in Ghana to develop specially crafted tie-dye fabrics for her 2010 Spring Summer Collection.
In 2007 Tina spent six months in Tokyo as Costume Designer on an epic Japanese fantasy movie titled 'Goemon', set in ancient Japan. At the 2010 Asian Film Awards she was nominated for Best Costume Designer.
Tina's career in Costume Design first began in London where she worked for Premier Costume House 'Angels and Bermans'. At the same time she studied Ladies Period Underwear at the London College of Fashion. It was these years that gave Tina the solid understanding of the cut and make of traditional dress throughout history and this has been a recurring influence throughout her work. It was three years later that Tina began pattern making and constructing showpieces for Alexander McQueen. An inspiring and creative position that inspired her to further her career in both fashion and costume simultaneously.