Davit Komakhidze (Georgian: დავით კომახიძე) known as David Koma (stylized as DΛVID KOMΛ) is a Georgian fashion designer based in London, England.
David Koma დავით კომა | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Education | Central Saint Martins |
| Label | David Koma (from 2009)
Mugler (2013 - 2017) Blumarine (from 2024) |
Koma established his eponymous luxury womenswear fashion brand in 2009 and has been showing his collections during London Fashion Week ever since.[1]
Internationally acclaimed celebrities often turn to the designer for red carpet looks, including Beyonce,[2] Dua Lipa,[3] Jennifer Lopez,[4] Cara Delevingne,[5] Kendall Jenner,[6] Rosie Huntington-Whiteley,[7] Blackpink,[8] and Adele[9] to mention a few.
From July 2013 to December 2017, he worked as the creative director of Mugler.[10][11] He is currently the creative director of Blumarine.[12]
Personal life
editKoma was born in Tbilisi, Georgia[13] but moved to Saint Petersburg, Russia, at the age of nine.[14] He relocated to London in 2003 and has been residing in Shoreditch, East London for over a decade.[15] Koma has a younger brother and sister.[citation needed]
Education
editKoma discovered his penchant for drawing and dress design at the age of eight.[16] To pursue his interests, Koma studied Fine Art in Saint Petersburg, taking part in design competitions from age 13 and showing his first collection at the age of 15.[17]
In 2003 Koma moved to London to take up a place at the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.[17] After completing his BA in Fashion Design, Koma graduated with an MA Fashion in April 2009,[18] winning a Harrods Design Award at the Graduate Fashion Week.[19]
Career
editStraight after graduation Koma launched his eponymous ready-to-wear brand and has been a participant of London Fashion Week ever since.[20]
David Koma brand has become synonymous with the ultra body-contouring silhouette, creating sculptural statement dresses inspired by the feminine form. The house is often commended for the couture-like finishes of the garments, whether it is the gravity-defying opulent hand embroidery or sleek and contemporary exemplary cut silhouette.[1]
Alongside the bodycon Silhouette that propelled the designer onto the international stage, David Koma ready-to-wear offering has expanded to include a full range of options from precise daywear separates in denim and leather, to beautifully tailored outerwear, showstopping red carpet gowns, and impeccably cut jumpsuits.[1]
David Koma collections are inspired by the female form.[1] The brand’s muses are often historically iconic women in the male-dominated fields: from marine biologist Dr Sylvia Earle,[21] to pioneering women of motorsport - Adeline and Augusta Van Buren[22] or Lily Parr[23] - a successful 1920’s female footballer.
Singer Beyoncé was the first celebrity to support the designer, wearing a dress by Koma in 2009, for the MTV Europe Music Awards, which was from his Central Saint Martins graduate collection.[24] Beyonce has since worn the brand multiple times for memorable appearances including for Be Alive performance at 2022's Academy Awards and during Renaissance World Tour.
From December 2013 until December 2017, Koma held the position of creative director at Mugler, sharing his time between London and Paris while simultaneously running his eponymous label.[25][26][27]
On 31 July 2024, Koma was appointed as creative director of Blumarine.[28]
Recognition
editOver the years, the David Koma brand has received numerous prizes including Vauxhall Fashion Scout in 2009,[29] NEWGEN sponsorship in 2010[30] and Fashion Forward in 2013.[31] In 2020, David Koma won the British Fashion Council / Vogue Fashion Fund, after being shortlisted in both 2018 and 2019.[32][33][34]
See also
edit- Lako Bukia, Georgian fashion designer based in London
- Tata Naka, Georgian dress label based in London
- Demna Gvasalia, Georgian fashion designer, creative director of Balenciaga
References
edit- ^ a b c d "About us". David Koma. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ "Designer David Koma on Dressing Beyoncé & His Plans for Mugler: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ "Dua Joins The "Koma Girl" Club". British Vogue. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ Fern, Celia; ez (2 January 2020). "If *That* Hustlers Scene Wasn't Enough, More of J.Lo's Jaw-Dropping Looks Ahead". Oprah Magazine. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ Gonzales, Erica (26 August 2019). "Cara Delevingne Shines on the Red Carpet in a Sequined Naked Dress". Harper's BAZAAR. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ "Kendall Jenner Just Might Wear A Naked Dress Better Than Carrie Bradshaw". British Vogue. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ Sanchez, Chelsey (30 October 2019). "Rosie Hungtinton-Whiteley Evokes Old Hollywood Glamour in a Cut-Out Dress". Harper's BAZAAR. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ Malach, Hannah (23 April 2023). "Blackpink's Coachella Outfits, A Closer Look: Mugler Bodysuits, David Koma Chainmail, 3D Florals and More During Weekend Two Performances". WWD. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ https://www.starstyle.com/adele-vogue-questions-interview-youtube-video-sp539933/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Socha, Miles (13 December 2013). "Thierry Mugler Names David Koma Artistic Director". WWD. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ Yotka, Steff (5 December 2017). "Meet Mugler's New Creative Director, Casey Cadwallader". Vogue. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ Zargani, Luisa (31 July 2024). "Blumarine Names David Koma Creative Director". WWD. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ Socha, Miles (12 December 2013). "Thierry Mugler Names David Koma Artistic Director". WWD. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
- ^ Véronique Hyland (11 June 2014), David Koma on His New Job at Mugler, Dressing Georgia May Jagger New York.
- ^ Hashish, Amira (13 December 2022). "Fashion designer David Koma's 'endlessly inspirational' London area". Evening Standard. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ "Child Star: David Koma". Interview Magazine. 19 September 2011. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ a b swarovskigroup.com, Swarovski Group-. "David Koma – Swarovski Group". swarovskigroup.com. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ Dazed (12 January 2010). "Watching David Koma". Dazed. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ Alexander, Hilary (21 February 2009). "David Koma, MA Graduate of Central Saint Martins receives award". The Daily Telegraph. London. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 9 January 2020.[dead link]
- ^ "London Fashion Week – DAVID KOMA". londonfashionweek.co.uk. Archived from the original on 25 October 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ "David Koma Spring 2023 Ready-to-Wear Collection". Vogue. 18 September 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ "David Koma Pre-Fall 2022 Collection". Vogue. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ "5 Things To Know About David Koma's Sporty-Meets-Sexy AW22 Show". British Vogue. 20 February 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ André Wheeler (28 March 2022), Behind Beyoncé’s Viral Oscars Dress The New York Times.
- ^ Yotka, Steff (5 December 2017). "Meet Mugler's New Creative Director, Casey Cadwallader". Vogue. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ "David Koma appointed creative director at Thierry Mugler – Telegraph". fashion.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ "David Koma quitte Mugler". Numéro Magazine. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
- ^ Zargani, Luisa (31 July 2024). "Blumarine Names David Koma Creative Director". WWD. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ "Talent Scout Winner". British Vogue. 3 August 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ Uk, Elle (14 December 2010). "NEWGEN winners announced, with Holly Fulton and David Koma winning catwalk support". ELLE. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ "London Fashion Week – Fashion Forward 2013". londonfashionweek.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 October 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ "Get To Know All The Winners From The 2020 BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund". British Vogue. 11 May 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
- ^ "British Fashion Council". britishfashioncouncil.co.uk. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
- ^ "Meet The BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund 2019 Finalists". British Vogue. May 2019. Retrieved 9 January 2020.