It is no secret that costumes on stage and in film art play an essential role: they are both a visual element and a code of the story — of character, time, and place. Sandra Sila is one of Latvia’s leading costume designers, whose career began in 1981, when she assisted in creating costumes for the legendary film “Limuzīns Jāņu nakts krāsā” (“Limousine the Color of St. John's Night”) directed by Jānis Streičs. Since then, she has designed costumes for many acclaimed Latvian films, including “Cilvēka bērns” (“The Child of Man”), “Vilkaču mantiniece” (“The Heiress of Vilkači”), “Rūdolfa mantojums” (“Rudolf’s Inheritance”), “Rīgas sargi” (“Defenders of Riga”), “Sapņu komanda 1935” (“Dream Team 1935”), “Nameja gredzens” (“The Ring of Namejs”), “Dvēseļu putenis” (“Blizzard of Souls”) and others.
The fashion show dedicated to Sandra Sila’s creative legacy will take place on October 20 at the LED Unit film studio, the opening day of RIGA FASHION WEEK, honoring her contribution to the development of Latvian cinema and the fashion industry. In the fashion show directed by actress Ieva Florence-Vīksne, the costumes will be presented by special models — actors whose portrayed characters were once dressed in these outfits in some of the most remarkable Latvian films: Zane Jančevska, Rēzija Kalniņa, Agnese Budovska, Inga Alsiņa, Māris Grigalis, Mārtiņš Počs, Raimonds Celms, Kristīne Beļicka, Jānis Āmanis, Ieva Aleksandrova, Marta Lovisa Jančevska, Jānis Elsts, Ģirts Krūmiņš, Oto Brantevics, Grēta Trušiņa, Artūrs Putniņš and others.
“This season, RFW opens a new horizon — expanding the traditional perception of fashion and showing that fashion does not live only on the runway, in shop windows, or on the streets, but also in cinema. This fashion show, dedicated to Latvian cinema, will allow viewers to see and experience different eras, characters, and stories through the lens of fashion. Costumes in film represent a distinct language of fashion — stylized, contemporary, and emotionally rich. By opening RIGA FASHION WEEK with Sandra Sila’s show, we turn a new page in the story of identity, history, and art,” says Jelena Strahova, organizer of RIGA FASHION WEEK.
The show’s guests will have a unique opportunity to see costumes from Dzintars Dreibergs’ film “Tīklā. TTT leģendas dzimšana” (“In the Net. The Birth of TTT Legends”) even before its premiere on November 6. The feature film, based on true events, takes viewers to the mid-20th century — to Soviet-occupied Riga, where the women’s basketball team TTT was born, soon becoming a European and world phenomenon. The main character of the film is Dzidra Uztupe-Karamiševa, the first captain of the TTT team, portrayed by actress Agnese Budovska. The film also features Jēkabs Reinis, Artūrs Skrastiņš, Artūrs Smoļjaņinovs, Rēzija Kalniņa, Evelīna Otto, Gatis Gāga, Marta Lovisa Jančevska, Raimonds Celms, Natālija Živeca, Anatolijs Fečins and others.
“Behind every film costume, there is a person with their own story. Costumes in cinema are not just decoration — they reveal the inner world of the character, the spirit of the era, and social identity. The film ‘Tīklā. TTT leģendas dzimšana’ (‘In the Net. The Birth of TTT Legends’) is special — here, costumes become symbols of courage, team spirit, and heroism. I would like to thank my mentors Večella Varslavāne and Skaidra Deksne, who introduced me to the world of film costume design, and all the directors I have had the honor to work with — Dzidra Ritenberga, Gunārs Cilinskis, Jānis Streičs, Pēteris Krilovs, Jevgēņijs Paškēvičs, Arvīds Krievs, Brigita Eglīte, Ilona Brūvere, Aigars Grauba, Andrejs Ēķis and Dzintars Dreibergs,” says costume designer Sandra Sila.
Ahead of Sandra Sila’s fashion show at RIGA FASHION WEEK, the organizers invite everyone to take a glimpse behind the scenes of its creation: PHOTO GALLERY.
Opening event partners: LED Unit Virtual Production Studio, AirBaltic, Kultfilma and Avantis.
