ORLANDO — A Collection Inspired by Transformation and Timeless Elegance

The “ORLANDO” Collection by MAY

The ORLANDO collection, which I designed for my brand MAY, was inspired by Virginia Woolf’s novel of the same name — a story of an extraordinary life that transcends time, identity, and convention. The novel begins with the journey of a young man who, through a mysterious spell, lives for centuries, only to guide us to the end of the story as a free and self-aware woman.

I’ve read this novel at least ten times, and each reading captivates and inspires me anew. I wanted to find a way to translate my passion for this story into fashion.

One way to connect Orlando’s world with fashion is through the lens of transformation and freedom. Orlando was a pioneer who transcended gender boundaries and chose how to dress on their own terms. This sense of fluidity and independence serves as an inspiration for us, designers, who constantly seek to challenge stereotypes and move beyond limiting conventions.

Just as Orlando searched for self-expression, I too explore new ways of creating — crafting garments that are individual, expressive, and personal. To me, Orlando embodies freedom, individuality, and innovation — values that lie at the heart of my work and, I hope, resonate with the women who wear my designs.

The Fabric of Freedom

My collection introduces a new balance between modern elements and timeless elegance — a dialogue between contemporary design and classical roots. This combination has always inspired me, as has the fabric that became its foundation: wool crepe.

I discovered this exceptional material while creating First Lady Eva Pavlová’s inauguration ensemble, and it immediately captivated me. Wool crepe is both structured and fluid, firm yet breathable — a fabric that shapes without constraining. Its colors are saturated and luminous, which is precisely why Christian Dior himself favored it.

As soon as I began working with it, I knew it would inspire an entirely new collection. The fabric itself led the creative process — it whispered ideas about craftsmanship, restraint, and touch.

My instinct guided me to work differently — to tear the edges by hand instead of cutting them. This technique gives each piece its own unique character and echoes an ancient tradition: long before scissors existed, fabrics were torn to preserve the straight edge and to waste nothing of what was precious.

I explored this method during my graduation project at UMPRUM years ago, and I’ve returned to it now in my coats. Wool, silk, and cashmere are too beautiful to waste even a fragment. I spent days experimenting, arranging fragments on the mannequin, observing how form and fabric spoke to each other — rediscovering my minimalist handwriting through texture and intuition.

The Spirit of Experiment

Like Orlando, who constantly explored new possibilities of being, I too discovered new ways of working with fabric — finding, abandoning, and reshaping ideas. What remained was the joy of pure creation.

The ORLANDO collection combines classical and experimental pieces, offering the wearer a chance to play — to express themselves through clothing in an intuitive, ever-changing way. The garments are crafted from exceptional materials in a palette of refined colors and precise silhouettes, forming a modular wardrobe that evolves with the wearer.

This, to me, is freedom and modernity — the ability to know oneself and to express that identity anew each day through what one wears.

Let’s enjoy it.

Štěpánka Pivcová
Designer, MAY

---