Gašpar Marinič: Stitching Outside the Lines

Fashion offers a way to express identity, challenge expectations and create space for new ideas. Slovenian designer Gašpar Marinič explores these possibilities through queer culture, pop imagery and experimental knitwear. His work draws energy from nightlife and personal experience. It also questions how individuals relate to the communities around them.

Born in Ptuj, Slovenia, in 1998, Marinič studied Textile and Fashion Design at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering in Ljubljana. His early projects included costume design for the opera Agrippina. The production earned the Faculty Prešeren Award in 2022. He later presented his master’s collections at Ljubljana Fashion Week in 2023 and 2024.

Today, Marinič is completing a master’s degree in Knitwear Design at the Institut Français de la Mode in Paris. His work has appeared in international fashion publications, including Vogue Adria, Elle Croatia and Allure.

Finding Inspiration in Queer Culture and Pop Imagery

Queer nightlife and pop culture shape much of Marinič’s creative language. Both offer room for experimentation and self-expression. They also provide visual references that challenge conventional ideas of identity.

IRK Magazine: What draws you to queer nightlife and pop culture as sources of inspiration? How do you translate these influences into your visual language?

Gašpar Marinič: I’m interested in the idea of freedom and creating space for it. In my experience, queer nightlife has always offered a safe space for expression. It allows people to explore new approaches to identity and individuality.

My connection to pop culture goes back to my younger years, when I watched MTV. The imagery from that era left a lasting impression on me. Pop has a long-standing connection with queer culture, especially through nightlife. Today, I see many modern pop icons referencing queer culture in their language and visual identities. There’s a constant exchange between these worlds. Pop icons draw on queer culture, while their images and styles also influence how queer identities take shape.

Gašpar Marinič: My process sometimes starts with pictures or other visual references that catch my attention. The attraction can be purely aesthetic, or it can carry a deeper meaning. It depends on the focus of each project. I aim to capture specific moments and build a visual collection around a central idea. This helps me translate a particular feeling into a visual medium.

I’m drawn to references that feel fun, weird and at least a little provocative. I don’t mind if everyone doesn’t love or understand what I make. In fact, I prefer work that doesn’t cater to generic taste. That makes it much more interesting.

Gašpar Marinič: From Personal Expression to Collective Queer Identity

Personal experience provides the starting point for Marinič’s creative process. Yet his work reaches beyond individual identity. He explores how people shape, share and reclaim visual references. This approach connects his own perspective with the wider queer community.

IRK Magazine: Your work often reflects queer identity and nightlife culture. How do you balance personal expression with representing a wider community?

Gašpar Marinič: My work begins with my inner emotions and feelings. I often position my individuality in opposition to the world around me. Over time, those distinctions become less clear. I start to incorporate elements of the collective and find my place within it.

My work is therefore a snapshot of queerness and nightlife culture. At the same time, it remains a form of personal expression. It starts with me, so it naturally involves reimagining and reclaiming visual imagery. I use these elements to develop the storytelling and world-building that interest me.

Gašpar Marinič on Material, Craft and Experimentation

A strong concept needs the right material. For Marinič, texture plays a central role from the beginning of a project. His hands-on approach allows research and making to develop side by side.

IRK Magazine: How do you approach the relationship between concept, material and texture when developing a collection?

Gašpar Marinič: Material is very important to me. The quality and texture of a fabric can tell us a lot about a garment. I always begin with a concept, but I explore texture at the same time.

I’m a very hands-on person. In my personal practice, I develop both elements together. Research pushes me to try new techniques and search for the right materials. The relationship also works in reverse. A particular material can influence my research and lead me towards ideas I might not have considered otherwise.

Between Fashion as Art and Fashion as Spectacle

Fashion can make an artistic statement or capture everyone’s attention. Marinič enjoys both sides of the medium. He sees spectacle as a valid form of expression. At the same time, he welcomes the new interpretations that emerge when others present his garments.

IRK Magazine: Fashion can be a form of artistic expression, but it can also create spectacle. How do you navigate these two sides of the industry?

Gašpar Marinič: Of course, there’s a difference between making an artistic statement and creating a public spectacle. Personally, though, I love both aspects of fashion. As I mentioned before, I see fashion as a medium for self-expression. Sometimes, creating a spectacle is exactly what the moment calls for. It feels good to leave an impression.

I also love seeing someone else present my work through a different vision. Editorials built around the same garments can tell completely different stories. Each interpretation gives the clothes a new meaning and adds another layer to my original vision. There’s something wonderful about creating a piece of art and then watching it take on a life of its own.

From Slovenia to Paris: Gašpar Marinič’s Creative Evolution

Paris has given Marinič new opportunities to refine his practice. His studies at the Institut Français de la Mode have helped him develop his creative vision. An internship at Dior also sharpened his attention to detail and finish.

IRK Magazine: How has moving to Paris influenced your design practice, and which elements of your creative identity do you see carrying into the future?

Gašpar Marinič: I wouldn’t say my design practice has changed dramatically since moving to Paris. However, I’ve definitely grown and evolved during my two years in the city. Studying and living here has helped me shape my creative vision and develop new skills in fashion design.

My internship at Dior made me pay much closer attention to details and finishing. I also began to understand garments as products with value beyond their artistic qualities. Creating exciting new worlds is important, but so is making pieces that last. Clothes need to be worn to have a tangible impact.

Gašpar Marinič: Self-expression will always remain a major part of my designer identity. I also hope to keep queerness at the centre of my visual language. Making things by hand matters just as much to me. Crocheting and hand-knitting will probably remain at the heart of my practice.

Looking ahead, I want to build a community around my clothes. I hope they connect people who share a similar vision while encouraging everyone to express their individuality.

Stitching Together Individuality and Community

Marinič’s practice brings together personal expression, queer identity and material exploration. His garments invite people to create their own interpretations. Each new presentation can add another layer to the original idea. As he continues to develop his work in Paris, one ambition remains clear. He wants to build a community through clothing. His designs celebrate individuality while creating connections between people with shared visions.

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About Gašpar Marinič

Gašpar Marinič was born in 1998 in Ptuj, Slovenia. He studied Textile and Fashion Design at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering in Ljubljana. In 2022, he co-created the costume design for the opera Agrippina. The project received the Faculty Prešeren Award.

His work has appeared at Mala galerija Banke Slovenije and the Kranj Biennial. He also reached the final of the Stylo fashion competition in Koper twice. Marinič presented his master’s collections at Ljubljana Fashion Week in 2023 and 2024.

His awards include recognition for exceptional achievements and a University of Ljubljana award for special achievements and extracurricular activities. He also received the Promising – Fashion Design award from Zavod BIG. Publications such as Vogue Adria, Elle Croatia, New Edge Magazine, Allure, Views France, Purple Haze Magazine and Foudre Magazine have featured his work. He is currently completing his master’s degree in Knitwear Design at the Institut Français de la Mode in Paris.

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