Meet our friends Oksana Todorova and her teenage daughter, Sasha. We spent an afternoon with Oksana and Sasha in their East Village apartment – an eclectic place that also doubles as a modest workspace for Oksana who is a ceramicist and illustrator. Going by the moniker, OKS, she integrates life and art, challenging the idea that art is too fragile to be handled. Sasha is also an artist in the making, who loves playing bass guitar.
We love the tough but tender, quintessential NYC style of this mother/daughter duo, and we couldn’t be more excited to feature them wearing their picks from our Pre-Fall 18 collection. Here we get to know them a bit more:
Oksana
Where are you from originally, and how long have you lived in NYC?
I'm from a country that doesn't exist anymore called the USSR, and I've lived in NYC since 1993. I've been in love with NYC ever since.
How did you come to be an artist, and how would you describe your artwork?
I've been drawn to the arts since I was very young because my father was working as a propaganda artist, so being in his studio, I grew up with his art materials. I always created things whether it was drawing or hand-making outfits for my dolls, as a child I was always very hands on. It's very difficult for me to describe my artwork because I work based on my daily inspirations whether it be a song I listened to, or a crazy person on the street. I don't like to label my artwork, I create things that make me happy - my artwork is for my own pleasure, it's how I keep myself sane.
How would you describe your personal style?
"Effortlessly" cool, and not try hard, but damn that takes some time! It's not easy to find comfortable cool shoes!
Who and what inspires you?
Inspirations are endless, it differs depending on what I experience day to day. It could be the afternoon light, Keith Richards, Duke Ellington, Philip Guston, @animaldoingthings, a great book or movie, etc. But my biggest inspiration is my daughter because she makes the world go round. I get my style tips from her because she is the coolest. New York kids rule!
Sasha
What do you like about living in NYC?
I love NYC because it has so much to offer, you can never get bored! NYC holds so much culture and history, and I am so incredibly honored to be apart of it.
What are you listening to right now?
I've been listening to The Cure's first album Three Imaginary Boys everyday, I recently discovered the song I Am in Love by reggae musician Jennifer Lara…and I am obsessed! I also have been listening to Stay Sick! by The Cramps on repeat. I can never stick to one genre of music, I like a little bit of everything.
What do you like to do for fun?
I love to shoot color film and print in the darkroom. I also love to play the bass, dance, make zines, and explore the city. I can walk for hours just roaming around and never get tired of it!
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I'm not entirely sure what I want to be when I grow up, but it would be awesome if I could work as a photographer or be in a sick band!
Who and what inspires you?
My mom definitely inspires me the most, I love her so much! I also am super inspired by music; it plays such an important role in my life. Everything is based off of the music I listen to: my style, my art, my mood. Iggy Pop, Joey Ramone, Cherie Currie, Poison Ivy from The Cramps, and Lady Miss Kier from Deee-Lite are definitely my top 5 musicians that I look up to.
