Community Highlights: Meet Anastasia Slavkovic of Formula S7

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anastasia Slavkovic.

Hi Anastasia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born with a curious mind and an independent personality, I was often found in deep thought and conversation, connecting with nature and animals. I always had an innate gravitation toward fashion and the arts. My clothes, style, and art became my means of communicating to the world. I’ve always been fascinated with materials, textures, colors and taken an interest in knowing about the way things work and are built. Connecting my passions assisted in the development of what is now my brand, Formula S7.

It truly has been a lifelong journey constructing the bits and pieces that are the DNA of my brand. My first memory of being introduced to designing was Project Runway! In one episode, the designers were challenged to create a design made from landfill. I was so intrigued, I grabbed a sheet of tin foil, grabbed my Barbie, ran back to the TV and started to play along. I was five and that was the beginning of recognizing my talents. In middle school, a design of mine was published in the Newspaper with an honorable mention for a paper doll contest. Then, my Grandma introduced me to the magic of creating something out of nothing. Our first projects together were scavenging household materials and out-grown clothes to create a series of tote bags! I swapped out my backpack for the tote bags and all of sudden, I experienced my first “where did you get that?” interaction. It was such a pivotal moment for me, the feeling that came with evoking an emotion in someone else and realizing others could relate to what came straight from my imagination. Today, this is still the biggest thrill and loving feeling when someone connects with my designs.

Fast-forward to my high-school years; I served on Nordstrom’s BP Advisory Board, attended Cornell University’s College of Human Ecology, Fashion Design and Visual Thinking Course, and interned for Kiya Tomlin (where I was introduced to the power of organic draping). Perhaps, most notably, I showcased my designs at the Andy Warhol Museum Youth Invasion 3 years in a row. The time I spent at the Andy Warhol Museum allowed me to explore my talents and build up my artistic aesthetic to the likes of Warhol, Kent, and Basquiat.

The next chapter of my life began when I moved to NYC to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology. With the city as my playground and the classes packed with diversity, I finally started to come into my own. A stranger in a crowd of people, oh, how I loved it! The energy, the passion, the creativity, the endless opportunities and the challenges! I owe it to my many peers, friendships, professors, and mentors for all the lessons learned, growth, and talents harnessed. I interned for Alon Livne and was introduced to a world in which I always pictured myself in. A beautiful atelier in Soho with a sky light window that lit up the room, my mentor who vowed to teach me as much as he could, and our assistant, a mesmerizing furry grey cat! My dream seemed so close yet so far, as I’ve wanted nothing more than to have my own physical studio/store!

After receiving my Associate’s degree and being accepted into the Bachelor’s study abroad program, I moved to Milan, Italy! A culture shock, whole new lifestyle to adapt to, and the world seemed limitless! I was partying with strangers that I soon came to know to be notorious in the fashion industry.

After a year in Italy, traveling around to different fashion houses and factories, visiting new countries, meeting so many inspiring people, and taking on a whole new way of life, I was ready to take NYC back by storm!!!! I landed an internship with Alice & Olivia, giving me the opportunity to see my designs, colorways, and graphic prints get produced! A plot twist in my designing journey hit when the team asked me to handwrite a saying. I thought, “This is so random. ME! My handwriting is so ugly!”. Nevertheless, I grabbed my iPad and wrote out “Something wonderful is about to happen!” at least 100 times! Stacey Bendet herself picked one of those and my handwriting soon became a sparkly black embroidery on a pink sweater! I started to recognize how my time at the Andy Warhol Museum, creating art in response to Corita Kent, and the messages I wanted to relay with my designs to the world all started to come together. With this and recognizing there is something special about my handwriting, or more so, what I wanted to communicate to the world, I started to take my art practice of writing out my abstract thinking and took it to fabric; inventing the Moral Messages you’ll see across my brand.

After a challenging final year at FIT and one last internship, I decided to launch my brand, Formula S7! After a couple of months of non-stop work and raising money for the fashion show, I showed my first collection at RAW in Brooklyn, NYC! I had an overwhelming response from strangers, family, and friends. I started to slowly receive orders and custom design work for clients. Then the world turned upside down and the pandemic hit. So, I moved to Austin, Texas!!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Challenges and failures are all a part of growth, finding yourself, and testing out ideas. I’m lucky enough to say I’ve gotten to a point where I have already begun working on my dream career and life, but that hasn’t been without many difficulties and I still have a ways to go!

The most prominent challenge has been the amount of times I’ve been tested on my dedication to my calling. My entire life has been a series of proving my talent and worth. The experiences that have truly shaped me are the ones where people have questioned me and events that have pushed me to make hard decisions, stand up for myself and my beliefs. I’ve had to walk away from many paths, even if they were wrong, it was very hard at the time.

My next biggest challenge has been to build-up my self-confidence. I’ve always had a very hard time “selling myself” and I don’t think I would have shared most of this even just a year ago. A part of this comes with not caring what other people think and not comparing yourself to others!

As you know, we’re big fans of Formula S7. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
A PLAYFUL FASHION LABEL AND ECO-CONSCIOUS BRAND

Founded in 2020, Formula S7 is a slow-fashion label that is difficult to ignore. Offering both Men’s and Women’s designs with a BOLD personality that are hand-made in the US and outsourced ethically. Formula S7 offers high-quality, unique, hand-made products, proving anyone can have a wardrobe that is playful, eco-conscious, and designer. Our mission is to spread positivity and encourage abstract thinking through our #MoralMessages. These unique graphic prints and embroideries, our one-of-a-kind hand-made designs, and our re-imagined vintage pieces are just the beginning of what Formula S7 has to offer.

Find out more about our Custom & Alteration services: https://formula-s7.com/pages/custom-alterations

P.S. we are experts in up-cycling and ready to give you a wardrobe refresh!

Explore our Product Offerings: https://formula-s7.com

Learn about our Sustainable Practices: https://formula-s7.com/pages/about-formula-s7

1. We encourage passion and play

2. We care about our community and the environment

3. We embrace diversity

4. We thrive on new ideas and curious minds

5. We work professionally with accountability and honesty

6. We offer high-quality craftsmanship

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Don’t rush something you want to last forever.

You can plan and plan and plan, but you must take action.

Manifesting is a real power you must learn. (You are the only one setting your own limitations)

You must learn to love and take care of yourself, as you are the only one spending time with you every second. No one is coming to rescue you or hold your hand. On this note, self-respect, self-care, and good health should be your priority.

LOVE, COMMUNITY, RESPECT, TRUST, LEARN & QUESTION!

Pricing:

• Hand-Made Designs: $100+
• Up-Cycled Designs: $50+
• Made-to-Order Designs: $20+

Contact Info:

• Email: FS7Studio1@gmail.com
• Website: https://formula-s7.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fs7studio1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FS7Studio1
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@fs7studio1