Recently, the German mass media published reports about a designer of Islamic fashion. VK interviewed this designer, Beliks Barkhasiyeva.
- Beliks, is it true what the media reported about you?
- German media published an article about me as the first designer of Muslim clothes in Germany. They think that Muslim upbringing and European education is a perspective contrast. They didn't interview me, just published the information. I know that in Germany there are no Muslim labels.
I graduated from the faculty of clothes design in the University for technique and commercial art in Trier. Now I'm working at my diploma work. I've registered my own designer trademark Zabbary. My style is high-necked modest clothes. I have no sponsors and investors yet. That's why I don't expect glowing glamorous articles. My treasure is my hands and knowledge.
- Why did you move from Chechnya to Germany?
- In my family all decisions are made by men, I didn't choose. I found myself in Germany for family reasons. Moreover, I' a fatalist. I believe that it is God's will.
- Why didn't you stay at home as many other Chechen women do?
- When a woman has many children and a big house, she has a lot to do during the day. However, if a woman has only one or two children and they are grown-up, she has nothing to do but watching TV serials and go shopping, spending her husband's money. As a result she becomes lazy. Every Muslim should strive for knowledge and work hard. That is why it is important for a woman to find a hobby or a work. I'm a workaholic.
Modern woman can be a good housewife and good professional simultaneously.
- Why did you choose this university?
- By accident. We found ourselves in Trier. It has one of the best universities in Germany, which has the faculty of fashion.
- How did you manage to enter of the best universities of the country?
- I passed preliminary and entering exams successfully, studied various techniques of drawing by myself. I didn't know it, but there were 400 applicants for 20 places. Among them there were people
with special education, children of famous designers and artists. Good for me I didn't know about it, because I wouldn't even try to compete with them. I graduated a village school in Chechnya. The only thing I had was my natural talent and good upbringing. The web-site of the university said that I had no right to enter it, as I hadn't graduated from German school. Other migrants gave me advice to stop thinking about it and go to work in a supermarket. But I didn't give up. Some months later the secretary of the admission committee allowed me to file documents to their university. I was optimistic and gained what I wanted.
- What do your husband and relatives think about your works?
- They are happy for me. I always ask their advice and do only things that they approve.
To be continued
Interview by Olesya Pelageina. Exclusively for VK.
