50 Grades of Silk

The chandelier effect of the inside-out skirt juxtaposes with a silk corset that has French lace overlay. Photographed in front of painter Ray Hare’s hyper-realistic style. (Makeup and hair by Ana Cetina Salon & Spa. Custom jewelry by TATA Beverly Hills. Art and location courtesy Coda Gallery, Palm Desert)

J. EVERETTE PERRY

Fedor Rogovets went from sales clerk at Saks Fifth Avenue in Palm Desert to custom designer for high-profile women like Jennifer Aniston and Cindy Crawford. One client’s custom dress gained the designer a runway show, where he earned more in one night than in two years in retail. That motivated him to focus on his haute couture business. He shared his thoughts on spring trends with Palm Springs Life.

Favorite fabric?
I only work with silk; there are so many different grades and forms. I use crepe, satin, georgette, organza, raw [silk], and charmeuse. Heavier variants drape better, while lighter ones are more form fitting. It’s a perfect fabric for every occasion.  

A closet must?
Every woman should have a corset. They give definition in the waist, making the female form perfect. I make them with silk, so it keeps her in place without squeezing uncomfortably. I consider them a must accessory, like jewelry.  

What’s trending?
‘Trend is where the imagination is.” Today, there are millions of designers doing their own thing and, thankfully, not all focusing on the same trend book.  

What’s next?
This spring, I’m using a skin-toned palette accented with rich pink corals and faded sea-foam greens. I’m creating structured cocktail dresses using thick knitting and geometric form.

Photo By J. EVERETTE PERRY

Fedor Rogovets rips, boils, and sews together sheets of charmeuse to make silk ropes that are knitted into form-fitting dresses. Photographed in front of painter Todd Stilson’s Japanese aesthetic. (Makeup and hair by Ana Cetina Salon & Spa. Custom jewelry by TATA Beverly Hills. Art and location courtesy Coda Gallery, Palm Desert)