Dragana Perisic - A Designer from the East in East London

Grownup Fashion

Brick Lane and its adjacent streets are crowded and noisy at weekends but offer a peaceful sight on weekdays. Whilst some of the shops only open at the weekend, we were lucky to find Dragana Perisic in her shop on a beautiful autumnal Thursday morning. As her exotic name suggests, Dragana Perisic hails from Eastern Europe and brings her sensitivity, imagination and payfulness to the clothes that she designs. Refreshingly, she says that she designs for women over 35 - a rarity in our youth focused fashion industry. I take it that she means that she designs for women, not girls, values personality and accomplishment over the simple promise of youth - not that I would want to put words in her mouth! Please do not think that I am anti-youth - I had my share of it and love to see it around me. I just want women over 40 to continue to exist and for those advancing years to be valued, not hidden shamefully!

Cut with precision

The cut is precise and the detailing is impeccable, lending the clothes a timeless quality which is enlivened by Dragana's skillful and whimsical mix of fabrics. For her winter collection, she uses wool fabrics that feel light on the shoulders but warm and cosy. She enjoys mixing a textured, white coated wool with a soft green herringbone cloth, playing on contrasts and complementarity.The Matrushka coat shown here also exist in grey and aubergine colours and retails at £490.

Playful

Dragana Perisic has a particular talent to create clothes that can be reconfigured and worn to suit the mood. A belt can be draped in different ways around the waist and create two looks out of a jacket or a coat. Pockets can be buttoned onto a graceful wool coat at different angles and produce distinct effects. The Brick coat shown below sells for £395.

A soft and luxurious leather bag can be worn through an arm hole or a with shoulder strap, perfect for the elegant city cyclist. The sides of the bag can be folded out, giving a glimpse of the colourful lining and clever inside pockets. The bag is designed to accomodate a laptop computer, with a welcome zip across the top to secure it from probing pick-pockets.

Grownup prices

Dragana Perisic's collection does not come particularly cheap. Coats and jackets hover between £345 and £500, comparable to better known designers such as Vivienne Westwood's Anglomania line or Zadig and Voltaire. I think those prices make sense in light the obvious quality and lasting nature of the design. Those are not throwaway clothes but investment pieces to be enjoyed for years. I hope the fabrics age well and confirm their enduring value as I have my eye on the "No collar jacket" (£345) that I find beautiful and versatile - I am saving my pennies!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What makes Dragana Perisic "Mutton friendly"

• Sympathetic designer
• Precise cut
• Fit
• Body skimming not clinging
• Clever detailing
• Mix of textures
• Elegance not show-off
• Quality

Dragana Perisic's shop is located at 30 Cheshire Stree, London EC2 6EH.
If you want to know more: Dragana Perisic's website
Please rest assured that, as usual, I have no connection with the designer featured.