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Somg might see computer science and fashion design are polar opposites, but for Tanya Atanasova, the two fields are not that different: Mathematics is important in technology, and fashion in particular pattern-making involves a lot of geometry.
Atanasova fell in love with tailoring as a child, watching her mother work as a tailor in Bulgaria. But her mother, who worked two jobs to cope with the family’s financial difficulties, didn’t really encourage her daughter to take up the trade. She sees it as a difficult profession, says Atanasova. He pushed me more towards programming.
So Atanasova left her home country in 2004 to get a computer science degree from Boston University. She now lives with her husband in Ann Arbor, where she works as a programmer for Amazon Web Services. Although she loves computer science, Atanasova has never lost her passion for clothing design. In 2018, he began using his technological know-how to create patterns through computer-aided design software, or CAD. She launched her own brand, Sofianka, in 2020.
Atanasova’s mother is also a source of inspiration for the brand name and design philosophy. Memories of her mother dressing for work in a jacket, trousers and high heels help shape Atanasova’s chic and sophisticated big-city style. That influence is evident in Sofianka’s inventory, which features sleek dresses, structured blazers and pleated trousers in predominantly neutral colors. Even the brand name is a nod to that aesthetic. Bulgarian Bulgarian word sofianka refers to a woman from Sofia, the nation’s capital.
Sofianka stepped out of the gate in 2020, securing orders during her first showroom appearance in New York City. Neither brand has received orders from its first season, Atanasova said. It gives me the impetus to keep creating. But then COVID-19 hit, and small boutiques closed in droves. And those who stayed open didn’t buy much of anything, apart from a small amount of casual wear. Wholesale demand has almost disappeared. It is difficult to put a brand on the market under normal conditions, let alone in a major pandemic, said Atanasova. That’s to our detriment.
Those difficulties were among the many reasons Atanasova made it a top priority to launch an online store for Sofianka. While many brands create their web stores using the Shopify platform for ease of use, Atanasova built her own site from scratch, to avoid Shopify fees. He hopes to have it up and running by Sofiankas next launch in September.
As the decision suggests, Atanasova is not the type to take the easy road. Despite the recent challenges, he is forging ahead with new collections. He believes that with a little patience and perseverance, things will turn around. I’ve realized that if I don’t trust myself and my brand, then no one will.
Sofianka’s upcoming collection is driven by one of Atanasova’s main inspirations from the late realms, but she says her influence is always growing. I might like floral prints now, but fashion changes based on what’s experienced over a period of time.
The Great Depression, for example, was a time when utilitarian sentiments born of adversity reversed the roaring advances of 1920s fashion and brought back a more practical and traditional aesthetic. On the other hand, Atanasova predicts that the coming season will present a series of wild and strange trends. I feel like, after the years we’ve had, we need to live a little bit.
The same goes for Sofianka. While Atanasova hasn’t completely avoided flashy elements in the past, the bold prints and vibrant colors of her latest designs pull her out of her comfort zone. Right next to the fun dresses and blooming flowers, we can expect to see the kind of classic cut that’s ingrained in Sofianka’s DNA: Always have a light cotton shirt, blazer, and nice slacks on.
Check out Sofianka’s collection on sofianka.com.