Interview with Tatjana Warnecke

When v-tox first showed me Tatjana Warnecke’s fetish fashion I instantly became a fan….I could imagine myself in her designs. It was as if she had me in mind, specifically.

I had the pleasure of getting to know Tatjana through correspondance over the past few months and she is as charming as she is visionary…

Domina Production’s interview with Tatjana Warnecke

Tatjana Warnecke's designs photogprahed by Ayden and modeled by Sietske

Ayden: Do you remember the first moment when you realised that you wanted to become a fashion designer?

Tatjana Warnecke: Interesting question… I never intended to be a designer let alone a fetish fashion designer. In 1995 I decided to stop working as an employee, I wanted to start a fulfilled life without fear of failure. I chose to make a living from my art. I started with performance because I was trained in classical ballet and it was a minimal investment. Wasn’t long before i had my own show company and a big deal with a show agency, so I had a need for show outfits. I wanted to have something futuristic, durable, sensual, and easy to perform in. I couldn’t find the right outfits, so I decided to make them myself. That’s when I discovered the materials that I still currently work with.

Once on stage I got enormously positive feedback for my performances…and the clothes, so I started thinking about selling them.  I’ve always been a perfectionist and what I envisioned from the start was to deliver such outstanding quality and comfort, that I could put my own name on them. That final step took years…At first I opened my own little shop, and then I finally had production and marketing covered. However my materials and designs were too extraordinary for the small town of Nürnberg and I could not make a living from it. I closed my store and decided to sell these items to fetish boutiques, firstly in Germany and then in other countries across Europe, and I continue to do so. What makes me really happy is that performance and fashion are connected once again. My best designs are born when I have to prepare for a show.

Tatjana Warnecke's designs photographed by Ayden and modeled by Sietske

Ayden: Have you always lived in Berlin? Is it a good base for your work?

Tatjana Warnecke: I was ready for Berlin and Berlin was ready for me! It was important to build up the collection and label prior to moving to Berlin. In a small town like Nürnberg it’s easier to focus on my work without distractions…I had to be disciplined, to travel a lot, and Nürnberg was ideal. To build up the label I spent years on the road, setting up fashion shows and selling my collection to boutiques as well as partying with my clients, models and performance partners. It was fantastic but tiring. At some point I realised that I had layed a strong foundation and to take things to the next level – I needed to move to Berlin. There is no other city where you have such a great concentration of artists, where new ideas are welcomed with enthusiasm. It’s a trend setting city!

Ayden: Your blog mention, that you have an interest in historic rituals … ?

Tatjana Warnecke: I am convinced that it is very human to celebrate rituals. This is evident since the beginning of humanity in every continent. People come together, like family in a community, from far away places, for a special night… they change into different people. They wear make up, costumes, take drugs and dance till euphoria. My party life in the fetish scene is very close to this basic desire. It’s natural, and healthy. I need to experience and absorb that energy. Otherwise life would feel robotic.

Tatjana Warnecke's designs photographed by Jamari Lior and modeled by Ophelia Overdose

Ayden: What kind of people do you imagine wearing your designs?

Tatjana Warnecke: Good question. As a designer, when developing a collection you have your customer in mind. You know what they want and prefer. With this collection it was completely different. I had my designs and needed to find the right clients for them. My collection ranges from female, male and everyting in between. My customers have to be mature and self-confident because people will be watching. They are different from the masses, and have a high regard towards quality. They feel good in their own skin… My outfits are now on stage, exhibitions, and on TV (eg. Germany’s next top model). A separative aspect about the collection is that my customers are imagined to be elegant and chic rather then clumsy and trashy.

Ayden: Am I correct in assuming you are a fan of science-fiction?

Tatjana Warnecke: I love the sci-fi aesthetic and I can relate to it. The narrow cuts, the clear lines, the reduced colour and the hi-tech form. These are all aspects of my current collection and I will continue to work between these lines. I could possibly be the only fetish fashion designer that has made this tech aspect a signature. I’ve recently noticed my clothes being worn at LARP (Live Action Role Playing) events which I find fascinating. I’m also currently looking into new technologies such as smart fabrics and LED light-wear.

Tatjana Warnecke's designs photographed by Jamari Lior and modeled by Ophelia Overdose

Ayden: Based on your wealth of experience, do you have any advice for our readers?

Tatjana Warnecke: Change your life if you feel unhappy – there’s no need to fear the new and unknown. Search for your meaning and work with discipline. Be thankful, that you are on the way and never give up. When a problem appears there is always a solution. Avoid being around people that don’t believe in you. If you feel like asking for advice it is important to ask the right person. Write your goal down in one short sentence and believe you can accomplish it. Avoid material goals as they will only come as a result of your personal success. You will be surprised at how willing people are to help you on your way.

If you haven’t already seen Tatjana’s show at Wasteland (the largest fetish party in the world), then check it out here:

Thanks to the Hiddenpark-Team you can also watch a video interview for Orchids TV:

On a final note for this post,  for those of you that are unfamiliar with Domina Productions, we are a music label with fetish inclinations, check us out at www.dominaproductions.net. Seduction? Guaranteed.