Viola Piekut – a designer, a symbol of style. One of the most recognisable Polish fashion architects, author of countless evening gowns and wedding dresses making public appearance on red carpets in Poland and abroad. Her collections merge elegance with originality, and each design is a tribute to feminine strength and beauty. She loves people and individual work with her clients. Successful due to undeniable talent, but even more importantly through individual and team hard work, supported by family, she’s just been nominated for the title of Leader by Vocation.
First and foremost you’re an artist. What about leadership?
I think I’ve had leadership qualities from the very beginning. I come from Wyszków, the place I grew up in. At dawns, I would go with my father to the kindergarten, located in a block of flats, where keys were always left under the doormat, and since I arrived there before the staff, I would wait for my friend living the floor above and get things done. From the very beginning, I was organised and resourceful. My parents gave me strength and confidence. It’s a combination of good genes and the fact that I could count on my family in numerous life situations. I love my job. It’s my passion. I start my day at six in the morning, open the studio to finally find myself the last to leave it. I don’t count hours, because it’s the time when I feel fulfilled. I’m truly in my element when switching into a task-oriented mode. Everything comes so naturally to me, maybe because I love life and enjoy each moment.
Do you remember the moment when fashion came to your life?
I do. While still in high school, I was already bringing my ideas to life. I happened to work as a model, but I didn’t feel it to be my calling. The turning point making me decide to start my own atelier and create designs for others was my wedding in 2002. I couldn’t find the right dress anywhere, so I designed it myself. That’s how my story with design began.
Were your parents also fond of art?
My parents were and still are a great inspiration to me. At home, everyone always supported each other and contributed to each other’s lives. My company is family-oriented – my husband’s a co-owner and president, responsible for organisational matters.
Did you study fashion design?
Well, I’m self-taught. I naturally felt it. In the studio, when I see dresses structures on mannequins, I can immediately point out what needs to be improved – I have an eye for literally millimeters. I put a part of myself into each and every dress – design is a passion I try to share with others. I make sure the women visiting us immediately feel special.
You worked in the US for a while, didn’t you?
Yes, there was a franchise atelier there, which, by the way, still exists. However, it’s difficult to keep an eye on everything at once. When I started in Warsaw, I ran two ateliers at the same time. The pandemic changed a lot, so I decided it would be better to arrange appointments with customers wisely and focus on one location. Currently, I run an atelier on Jana Pawła II Street and an outlet on Grzybowska Street, where we sell our models and prototypes. Over the years, we’ve accumulated quite a few to make them available at affordable prices. Recently, even Krystyna Janda stopped by, also looking for something for herself. Tailoring is a process requiring precision. We combine different elements, tailoring them individually to each client, so everything has to be done with special care. I always ask about the occasion for the outfit and select the appropriate fabric. This cannot be done on a mass scale. For this reason, I need the right people around me. It’s a demanding job where every detail counts.
Who are your employees?
I currently employ 28 people in my studio. I work with garment constructors, visual artists, designers, and seamstresses. All love what they do, are extremely talented, patient, and have that famous “eye” for tailoring. Our work is team-based.
What occasions do women dress up for at your studio?
It all started with a wedding collection, but many of my clients have remained close to me. Since I dressed them for their weddings, I also did it for their children’s communions, evenings at the theater, proms… It’s wonderful they remember us from occasions when they felt special and always want to feel that way. For businesswomen, I sew entire collections – from suits to coats and jackets. I match new items to clothes bought in previous collections to make them go well together and to extend their lives. I check what’s available and what should works best: a leather bomber jacket, a coat, or a 7/8-length skirt.
Not all customers are perfectly shaped…
Well, it may not be obvious at first glance, but we’re famous for sizes 44 and above. We know what slims a woman’s figure best and we want everyone to look beautiful. We have many such customers and we’re in love with them, since that’s when we can really prove ourselves. Someone once said something beautiful to me: one can certainly see that these dresses are tailored with heart and that’s why they are different from all the others. That’s also why we won such a large group of exceptional customers – because they know that we strive to refine each creation so that they can feel stunning while wearing it. Nowadays, many women want to look different from others, but what’s crucial is to feel yourself in your outfit. It’s not worth straying from one’s own nature, as it doesn’t do any good.
Some of your customers are regular. Are there any who buy occasionally?
Of course there are. There are girls who once want to feel one way and another time another way, so they engage many different designers. It’s great to try different styles and find your own. It warms our hearts when a customer comes back to us. That’s the greatest reward. Obviously, there are different models and different prices. Life’s a mixed bag as well – sometimes we can afford the dress of our dreams, and sometimes it’s not possible.
What are you most proud of?
The strength of our family – we’ve survived a lot and can always count on each other. My husband and I worked out everything from scratch, and it’s this work, perseverance, passion that constantly lead us towards success. I’m proud I’ve managed to fulfill my dreams – I’ve always wanted respected celebrities to wear our dresses, feel good in them, and come back to us. I love Grażyna Torbicka and Martyna Wojciechowska – each mutual conversation hugely inspires and meetings with such personalities are unforgettable. They are classy women who respect everyone regardless of who they are and what they’ve achieved. I remember the process of preparing dresses for the TVN Foundation Ball. That day, there were lots of celebrities in the studio trying on their outfits. I walked into the atelier and paused for a moment. There were exceptional people all around me, and I thought: I once dreamed celebrities would want to wear these dresses… and now they’re here, waiting, choosing. It was the moment when I realised that my dream had truly come true.
And fashion shows…?
Yes, of course – I’m very proud of them as well. Before I start the creative process, I carefully analyse everything and entrust the organisational issues to my husband. I’ve organised many shows, some of which have reached the level of real events. One of them was Parisienne, organised at the Mała Wieś Palace – the collection merged the elegance of haute couture with the nonchalance of Parisian streets. I also regularly take part in PARTY Fashion Night, an event held in the stylish interiors of Tor Służewiec (Służewiec Racecourse). Since I love wearing suits and jumpsuits myself, I presented a wide range of models in this fashion during a recent fall show.
What are your plans?
I’ve been working on a catalog telling the story of the company. I still need one more show – it’s already been conceived, but the implementation requires a larger budget. I plan to organise it in the gardens of King Jan III Sobieski in Wilanów. I would like the whole thing to be aesthetically and narratively coherent, which is why I want to combine the collection with the history of the place. One of the photo shoots took place on the roof of the Polish History Museum – it’s an incredibly beautiful place with enormous potential and perfectly in tune with the character of our collection. In November, we’re planning an intimate show, where part of the new collection would premiere.
Do you have any spare time at all?
Sundays are mine. I spend them at home with my family. My sons are already grown up: Nikodem is 23 and Olivier is 16. I love physical activity, a good book, and traveling. I always do my best to make the most of each and every free moment!
Dorota Kolano
