Studio Nicholson Woman - Keti Toloraia

“I think women should look real,” says Nick Wakeman, creative director and founder of Studio Nicholson, who started the brand by reinventing classic men’s pieces for women. “I’m interested in how we wear clothes as women,” she says. Introducing Studio Nicholson WOMAN, a new editorial series exploring what womenswear means through stories with real women.

Introducing Studio Nicholson WOMAN, a new editorial series exploring what womenswear means through stories with real women.

Georgian designer Keti Toloraia set up Rooms Studio with Nata Janberidze in Tbilisi in 2007, creating objects and designing interior spaces. Toloraia studied Interior Design at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts between 1997-2003. Rooms Studio have shown work at Salone del Mobile in Milan, worked on hotels and residential projects and produced furniture that has been exhibited at galleries globally. Toloraia is now TBC. “There is a moment in your life where you realise you need to restart the dream again,” she said.

"The materials should be real. I see it as similar to [good] clothes: shape follows function. Simplicity, elegance and function are the most important three things in design."

Keti is photographed by Julien Hamon at her home in Paris.

She is wearing Riso Corduroy Pant in Black, Lorem Rib Jersey in Black, Over Leather Jacket in Black, all by Studio Nicholson. Shoes and jewellery, Keti’s own. 

What were you doing before this shoot?

“I was sleeping until late. We have had a lot of projects. We are working on some interior projects in Georgia and Paris and we also have a project in New York.”

Why did you choose these pieces to wear today?

“I liked the shape and the material. I thought that I would feel comfortable and maybe more confident.”

How long typically does it take you to get ready in the morning?

“It depends. It can be like, in 15 minutes. But sometimes, it is too hard to get up from the bed [laughs]. I don’t think about [what I will wear] the day before. It depends on the weather, it depends on my mood, how I feel. And usually, I wear the same clothes.”

What was the last outfit or item of clothing that made you dizzy with joy?

“It was from my stepdaughter who is a designer. She sent me a pair of high boots. They shape the leg well, which is why I like them.”

What should great clothing should do exactly?

“The most important thing is function, so that I feel comfortable, very easy. I’m not a big shopper, but I love clothes, I love fashion.”

How should clothes make you feel as a woman?

“I like when I feel a little bit masculine. I like when women look really feminine, but it’s not my style.”

What are your memories of clothing as a child?

“I was changing every half an hour. It was a mess! Nothing was going together. I remember from my childhood when I was with my mum on holiday, we were going to see her friend, and she told me to change my clothes. I came back wearing a violet t-shirt and white pants with red stripes and very shiny shoes with super patterned socks [laughs].”

 How would you describe the clothes of Georgia?

“I think Georgian people have really good taste. It’s very black [in terms of colour] but I love it.”

How did you go from wearing violet to black?

“I think it was my mother’s influence. I like how she looks. Sometimes, when she comes here, I give her my clothes. I think we have the same view [on fashion].

What’s the biggest misconception about stylish women?

“I don’t know. I never thought about this.”

Do you notice what other people are wearing?

“Yes, it is very important for me. I notice what people are wearing. From clothes, I can see a lot of things. How interesting is the person? I can see if we might have something in common. Clothes are a way to show yourself.”

Who are your favourite style pinups?

“I like my friends’ style, my mum’s style. I think Georgia O’Keefe was amazing. I think what she was wearing, the hats, scarves, coats, shoes, sandals - it was all incredible. She was the best.”

Is there a category of clothing you find yourself repeatedly drawn to?

"Shoes. I buy a lot of shoes, but I somehow never have the right shoes. I like men’s shoes.”

In your design practise how do you approach materials and shape?

“The materials should be real. I see it as similar to [good] clothes: shape follows function. Simplicity, elegance and function are the most important three things in design.”

 "We do interior design and product design; with the product design, we don’t have a client, so we have a lot of freedom, and so it really depends [how they choose materials] on how we feel in that moment, so it can be reclaimed wood, wax, steel.”

“The Street Series is one of the most interesting parts of our practise, because in Georgia you can find a lot of objects on the streets that people made by themselves. We do a lot of research and then you can see that you can change the material and the proportion…”

Where do you find inspiration?

“It’s everywhere. Sometimes you have a nice conversation with someone and it inspires you. Sometimes you are travelling and you see something on the street. In Georgia you can find a lot of objects on the streets that people have made themselves. It’s all the information around you.” 

What do you think a great interior space should do?  

“It’s really very personal. But the first thing is, it should hold you. If it’s open it’s a good interior. It should be honest. It should not be over designed. There are some spaces you go and you need to leave. I want to run! But there are some spaces that are maybe not my style, but they’re really nice, calming, you feel that there is a soul.” 

Three words that sum up your style and character?

“Simple, masculine, spontaneous.”