Meet Elena, A Lifetime of Craft
Elena Shpihunova
With more than 45 years of experience in garment construction and pattern making, Elena Shpihunova brings both technical mastery and artistic sensitivity to KM by LANGE. A graduate of the Kyiv Institute of Fashion Modeling and Garment Construction, she began her career in the early 1980s and later became Chief Pattern Constructor at the experimental atelier in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, where she spent a decade developing innovative approaches to garment construction. Having also worked as a fashion model, Elena understands clothing from both structural and aesthetic perspectives, giving her work a rare balance of precision and femininity. Drawn to soft natural fabrics, refined silhouettes, and thoughtful construction, she believes the beauty of a garment lies in the harmony between creativity and craftsmanship. At KM by LANGE, Elena enriches each collection with her experience, intuitive eye for detail, and a deep passion for creating clothing that makes women feel elegant, confident, and beautiful.
Describe yourself in three words.
Energetic, communicative, balanced.
When and why did you start sewing, and how did it become your profession?
I came to work with my mother at a kindergarten, where I was given the task of sewing clothes for dolls. That’s how it all started. I was 8 years old at the time.
What is your favorite creative moment?
The greatest pleasure comes from the result of my work.
Do you remember your first piece, and what was it?
My first item was an apron that I sewed in 4th grade, and later in 5th grade — a skirt.
Women’s, men’s, or children’s clothing?
My priority is women’s clothing because there is more room for experimentation.
Your favorite fabric?
I love soft natural fabrics.
Texture?
I enjoy working with wool, linen, and cotton fabrics.
Favorite silhouette/cut?
Silhouettes that emphasize femininity.
Who would you be if you had not become a fashion designer/pattern maker?
A fashion designer/pattern maker.
What do you love most and dislike most about your job?
I love beautiful results; I can’t stand it when the electricity goes out.
Do you have a dream? What is it?
To attend modern fashion shows in Paris or Milan.
How does your day usually go?
I wake up at 6:30 and work as needed until 22:30.
Favorite book and film?
I love detective novels. Films with Patrick Swayze.
Favorite dish?
Stuffed cabbage rolls.
What are you most proud of?
My greatest pride is my children and my family.
Pattern making or sewing?
Definitely pattern making! Sewing clothes is calming.
What does inspiration mean to you?
I am inspired by communicating with young women who want to wear stylish, beautiful clothing.
A few words about KM by LANGE
Working with KM by LANGE allowed me to gain experience communicating with colleagues from Spain and also to present my own creative ideas.
When these photographs were taken, Elena was navigating treatment for breast cancer. Her presence in these images holds a meaning beyond the frame, reflecting a personal chapter of her life that we acknowledge with love, respect, and admiration.
Elena is wearing BLACK DECONSTRUCTED SHIRT and BLACK CRISS CROSS VEST two pieces that beautifully embody her craftsmanship and the art of construction — a reflection of the skill and dedication she brings to every garment.