Storm Chaser

“Nature is the core of my inspiration,” says designer Risto Bimbiloski, whose collections have explored predators, galaxies, neon reflections on dark waters, and for spring, a lightening storm over an erupting volcano. Honoring his Macedonian heritage, where knitting forms a central part of the matriarchal culture, Bimbiloski launched his knitwear line for women in 2002, marrying traditional techniques with modern design. “I produce my collection in my family factory on the beautiful Lake of Ohrid,” he explains. “Every woman of the atelier brings her own family heritage of craftsmanship, which gives a personal note to the garments.” Design houses have sat up and taken notice of his skill, with Louis Vuitton hand-picking him in 2006 to head up its men’s knitwear line, and in September 2009 Bimbiloski invaded New York with his spring collection relaunched as Risto.  “As an adolescent I followed the New York and American noise and art scene, and for me it was quite natural to start to show there—I feel that I fit.” The designer’s work with prints is now starting to take center stage, with two custom prints imitating lava and lightning that reference an image of Chile's Chaiten Volcano informing dresses, bodysuits and leggings in his current collection. “I came across the image on NASA’s APOD blog—checking it is how I start most days,” Bimbiloski says.