Anastasija Balak — Silent Guardian / Falling Petals

Presented during Tallinn Fashion Week 2026.

Anastasija Balak’s work is deeply rooted in the relationship between body and form. Her practice began with swimwear — working closely with the body, its lines and its openness. Over time, this evolved into a broader exploration, where clothing is no longer only a visual object, but a way of expressing a certain state.

Her new collection, Silent Guardian / Falling Petals, continues this direction. There is no attempt to create immediate impact. Instead, the collection works through subtle tension — between protection and vulnerability, softness and inner strength. Materials are not decorative; they become part of the concept itself. Clothing acts as a boundary, as a layer, as a space surrounding the body.

References to Japanese aesthetics appear gently — not through direct quotation, but through rhythm, repetition and restraint. Prints combine animal motifs with sakura, creating a sense of strength and fragility existing at the same time. The collection feels calm, without pressure, leaving space for interpretation.

Conversation with Anastasija Balak

Can you briefly introduce your project — what is your work today? - I’m a tailor and fashion designer, the creator of ABFD Swimwear and the founder of the AVANTGARD atelier. For over fifteen years, I’ve been developing my own brand, AB Fashion Design, working on both collections and custom-made pieces tailored to the individual.

When did your project start, and how would you describe it today? - It started with working closely with the body — through swimwear. Over time, it became something broader. Today it’s less about a specific category and more about creating a certain state through clothing.

What does “work” mean to you today? - Work is a continuous process of searching. It’s not only about making garments, but about understanding form, sensation and inner state.

What part of your work do people not see or often misunderstand? - The depth of the process. A lot of time goes into working with materials, finding balance between aesthetics and function, and maintaining internal discipline.

How does your creative process usually start? - It begins with a feeling. Not with a fixed idea, but with a state that gradually takes shape through material and construction.

Do you work more from structure or intuition? - Both. Intuition gives direction, and structure allows it to take form.

What inspired you to combine swimwear with Japanese aesthetics and sakura symbolism? - I’m interested in vulnerability, especially in relation to the body. Japanese aesthetics, and sakura in particular, reflect this feeling — beauty that exists in its impermanence. The prints combine leopard, tiger and blooming sakura on a python texture. It’s about coexistence — strength and fragility at the same time.

What kind of feeling did you want to create through this collection? - A sense of quiet strength. Something internal, not demonstrative. A balance between softness and stability.

What were the main challenges in creating this collection? - To stay precise and avoid superficial interpretation. It was a process of refinement — removing what wasn’t necessary and focusing on essence.

What are you building right now? - I continue to develop a language where form and feeling exist together.

What does the next phase look like for you? - Moving towards more abstraction — less direct references, more focus on texture, color and atmosphere.

Final Note

In the context of Tallinn Fashion Week, Anastasija Balak’s work feels precise and composed — not seeking attention, but holding it through its internal clarity and rhythm.