We get to know Ekaterina Malysheva the brain behind festival dress-up and Miley C’s favourite, EKAT Suits.
Founded by Ekaterina Malysheva, EKAT suits are born from a love of all things fun. A form of self expression, Malysheva observed the cultures of her friends from different backgrounds whilst at an international school in Prague, resulting in her eclectic taste. Later finding a passion in creating socio-political documentaries, two of which went onto be nominated for the 2014 Oscars, Malysheva’s study of female empowerment plays out in through her prints, that she tells us are representative of individuality and infinite possibilities.
Setting up her namesake label last summer – after numerous visits to the infamous Burning Man festival and Ibiza, spent wearing catsuits of course – Malysheva realised the potential of her designs and so a lifestyle brand was born. We caught up with Malysheva herself to find out more:
What was the initial starting point for EKAT?
My two great English friends Millie And Hum started my love for catsuits. I brought a couple to Burning Man festival last year and realised our love was shared by many. The documentaries I was working on were in post production and I decided to keep myself busy by starting EKAT. It’s been very exciting since!
So when you set out with the suits, who did you have in mind as customers?
Millie And Hum! I kept calling them to make sure my prints and silhouettes were cool enough.
They definitely are! What are the choices behind the patterns? The prints are so fun!
Thank you! I wanted something ethereal. The theme is tropical animals living in a galaxy together. In the real world they wouldn’t interact but everything is possible in an EKAT suit! Peace, love, harmony and magic.
Obviously Anabel Englund is a huge fan of the suits and has been recently photographed in one, which other celebrity clientele have you had?
Sienna Miller, Mary Charteris, Jamie Winstone, Clara Plaget, Phoebe Lettice and Rita Ora.
Impressive! If you could dress anyone in the world – alive or dead – in Ekat who would it be?
David Bowie. The ultimate style icon.
Agreed! What are your future plans for the Ekat label?
We’re in the process of finalising our new collection which, if I may say so myself, is very cool. We’ve added two new katsuit silhouettes, some faux fur coats and geometric prints with lots of pastel tones. The new collection is less festival, more subtle and easier to wear.
Photograph of Anabel Englund: Jasmin Bell