I CHECK IN WITH...VIKTORIA NOVAK
#THESENSECHECK INTERVIEW SERIES 6 minute check-ins with smart, beautiful and interesting women who know a thing or two about what it takes to be successful.
VIKTORIA NOVAK Couture Milliner
What do you do and what does a typical day involve?
I’m a milliner that specialises in couture artistic headpieces and crown for brides, race wear goers and for all other special occasions. A typical day for me is designing and creating. I personally hand create each of my headpieces and crowns in my Sydney based studio, so each design you see on my website, inside my boutique, inside a department store and being loved and treasured by my clients has been proudly and lovingly handmade by me.
What does your morning routine look like?
I’m definitely an evening late night designer, that’s when I’m most creative and productive, so mornings are hard for me (I do love a cheeky sleep in). Each morning prior to work, I spend time playing and snuggling my fur-kids. Depending on my day, I generally wear easy comfy clothes that I can easily design in so that I’m not restricted in anyway. I generally get briefed when I arrive and from there I’m straight into design and production. Each order is scheduled and allocated a certain amount of days to ensure timeframes are met and completed on time.
Who or what inspires you?
Iris Apfel – love her to bits, absolute style queen and icon. I’m obsessed with her style, love for vintage and just everything about her.
How do you stay on top of trends in your industry?
I won’t lie, it’s hard and especially in a mass world that is killing artists and creatives. Companies running off-shore to mass-produce isn’t helping anyone, if anything its destroying art and I feel sorry for them.
I don’t like to use the word “trend” in my work, only because I see my work as timeless. Trends are items that people get sick of after a few months. My designs are created to live on, both through quality and design. So how do I beat the mass-world? I don’t and won’t, I just stay unique to myself and to my work.
What is your no. 1 piece of advice?
Stay true to yourself and be yourself. We are living in a fabricated world where people think everything and everyone is perfect and social media has a big part to play in this. Remain honest, be humble and love you for you – don’t be someone that someone else wants you to be. If I followed that road, I most likely wouldn’t be speaking with you today and I would never have found my destiny and love for Millinery.
BONUS Question: who would you most love to make a crown for?
I have three very inspirational woman that I adore all for different reasons. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Lady Gaga and Iris Apfel.