Inside my

I am a Croatian fashion designer, illustrator, painter, and multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the intersection of craftsmanship, movement, architecture, and contemporary dark aesthetics. Formally educated in fashion design (Textile-Technology Faculty of Zagreb, Croatia), with previous studies in painterly design (School of applied arts & design, Zagreb), my creative practice has always extended beyond clothing into illustration, visual storytelling, and artistic experimentation.

Art has been a constant presence throughout my life. During primary school I attended classical piano lessons, an experience that nurtured my appreciation for rhythm, structure, and composition. Later, alongside my work in fashion, I studied Flamenco with prominent dancers (La Sali, Maria Keck)  and instructors teaching in Zagreb, as well as Tribal Fusion dance (Natasa Moskaljov, Suzan Frankovic). The language of movement, together with music and visual arts, has remained a lasting influence on the way I approach silhouette, balance, and expression in design.

As my personal style began to emerge during my teenage years, I found inspiration in the visual identity, symbolism, and artistic philosophy surrounding bands such as Christian Death, Fields of the Nephilim, and Marilyn Manson. What began as a fascination with musical landscapes gradually evolved into a broader interest in symbolism, literature, philosophy, psychology, and visual culture.

During this period, I contributed as a translator for Nachtkabarett, the internationally recognized archive dedicated to exploring the symbolism, artistic concepts, and cultural references within Marilyn Manson’s body of work. Alongside this, I founded the Croatian Marilyn Manson fan site, creating a local space for fans to access  materials regarding his art and engage with the artistic and symbolic dimensions of his work. 

These experiences became an important foundation for my creative development, shaping my interest in visual language, symbolism, and narrative while gradually contributing to the formation of my own artistic identity.

During the second half of the 2000s, I began publicly presenting my work through professional fashion shows and exhibitions, establishing a distinctive design language that combined sculptural silhouettes, craftmanship with wearable forms. Throughout my professional journey I was also a member of the Fashion Designers Association of Zagreb County, and later became a member of ULUPUH – the Croatian Association of Artists of Applied Arts, one of Croatia’s leading professional organizations dedicated to applied arts and design. Through its Fashion Design Section, ULUPUH recognizes fashion as a discipline that exists at the intersection of artistic expression and applied design, bringing together professional designers whose work contributes to the development of contemporary Croatian design culture.

Curiosity has always been one of the driving forces behind my work—a desire  how an idea can be transformed into a tangible form and ultimately brought to life through design. Throughout the years I have explored numerous materials and construction techniques, including a series of experimental collections created in latex rubber. Fascinated by the material’s sculptural possibilities and unique behaviour, I developed several original latex collections before later focusing exclusively on bespoke latex garments created by commission. Every new material has represented an opportunity to challenge established techniques and discover new forms of expression.

Since 2012 I have worked independently through my own atelier, producing sustainable made-to-order garments primarily for international clients. Every piece is designed, patterned, constructed, and finished by my hands, allowing me to maintain complete creative control throughout the entire creative process. Rather than pursuing mass production or seasonal trends, I deliberately chose the atelier model—one built on longevity, craftsmanship, and limited production.

Alongside fashion, I continue to work in painting, illustration, AI-assisted visual art, digital storytelling, branding, and conceptual design. Rather than treating these disciplines as separate practices, I see them as different expressions of the same creative process. Every collection begins with a broader visual concept that often expands beyond the garment itself into images, narratives, and immersive visual worlds.

Today I live in my hometown in Croatia, where I work from my private atelier surrounded by nature and my pets. Alongside my creative practice, I care for a bedridden family member affected by illness, a responsibility that has naturally shaped the rhythm of my work. For this reason, since 2024, I intentionally accept only a limited number of atelier commissions each month, focusing on my signature designs and a small selection of bespoke projects. This slower pace allows every garment to receive the attention, precision, and craftsmanship that have defined my work for more than two decades. You can learn more about the process at studiotanjas.hr.

Although my work has continually evolved over the years, making a firm core for the darwear style, one principle has remained unchanged: to create objects with authenticity, longevity, precise definition and character. Whether through fashion, painting, illustration, or digital media, my aim is always the same—to create work that exists beyond trends and invites a deeper connection between form, material, and the individual who experiences it.