Niki Iliev: Casual chic and inventive combinations

Niki Iliev is a recognizable and magical public person. He makes a strong impression on his various successful biathies - the director, the actor, the TV presenter, the university lecturer and the ex-model. His charismatic and attractive appearance can oblige superficial people and they do not pay enough attention to his intelligence, original thinking, and modern, not a fashionable spirit. When the Academy of Fashion awarded him in 2017 with its prize for the most stylish and successful Bulgarian BG Fashion Icon, the criteria also included these qualities and abilities that sometimes escape public attention. And yet - what is the style of dressing for Niki Iliev? Does he have a clear and accurate view of how it looks and how is it perceived by others? ...

His style is far from deliberate luxury and luxury deliberation. He is not a blind and dazzled fan of the famous, expensive and trendy fashion brands, trends and lines. I would describe his dressing style as chic, i.e. elegance achieved with the ingenious combination of casual and sporting elements on the one hand and refined and ultimate elements on the other. The perfect and perfectly maintained figure allows him to wear with equal success and heavily cushioned, and too loose garments. A prerequisite for his image success, achieved through his appearance, is his unconditional attitude through clothing and accessories to be himself, to express his world, mood and attitude as best as possible. It is precisely this reflection and the ability to adapt to his individual style the models of perfect clothing from the field of cinema, pop culture and lifestyle as a prerequisite for the building of his attractively memorable vision. I would add something else - that is the aesthetic self-persuasion of Niki Iliev, which certainly corresponds in some way with his creative mentality, his attitude to art and especially to cinema. One of the proofs of this is that he is diligent in choosing the most suitable clothing for special events, premieres, formal meetings, ceremonies when he tests various clothes on his wardrobe and tests a variety of combinations.

Our famous director and actor can undoubtedly communicate with the clothes - to send his signs and signals, to defend his taste and his understanding of his own visual culture. More specifically, we will get an idea of the style of Niki Iliev, by understanding the interview with him, his fashion philosophy and aesthetic principles, his preferences and disagreements about dress and outlook.

How will you comment on the fact that you were awarded with the BG Fashion Icon 2017 award by the Academy of Fashion?
To me it is an honor. Not only my personal style, but my work and the image I have been trying to build for years. I have watched the winners of the previous fashion and success charts for the Academy of Fashion, and I have always had the impression that these are people who are able to express themselves in the best way in the sphere they work in and there with their style they influence others because of their professionalism and individuality. For this reason, I am very glad that I am among them.

Who has had the most impact on your style of dressing?
I've always been looking for the style that expresses my essence in the best way. To show what is inside me. Over the years I have watched the style of actors I like, but I've only taken from them things that would fit my personality. I pay attention to fashion trends, but I only take from them what I would like to do without losing myself.

Which are your favorite fashion brands (foreign and Bulgarian) and why?
A young designer, Adrian Mihaylov, has eyed a very interesting and fashionable suit. I admire him because he is brave and has a style. Otherwise I do not have any favorite brands. I carry what I like. I have not confined myself to specific brands.

How do you decide what to wear?
Sometimes it's not easy. I am the Libra Zodiac and this leads to serious hesitation, which is ridiculous, but ... what to do. For everyday clothes I do not think much, but for more important events I choose three or four variants, I dress them one by one and try to feel with which ones I will feel most comfortable in the place in question.

Have you ever committed mistakes with your clothing and when?
Yes of course. When I'm in a hurry, or when I do not think of the exact dress for the place I have to go to.

How would you characterize your personal style of dressing?
Pretty careless, I would say. I'm over with the torn jeans and the comfortable clothes. That's why I like to mix styles slightly. For example, wide jeans with a jacket. This leads to a certain contrast, but on the other hand you are neither very sporty nor very official, which is interesting.

What is kitsch in fashion for you? When can a man be ridiculous with his appearance?
Following the fashion trends without finding his own style. Many people admit this error. They look for their individuality in an entirely external way and strive for the 100 percent approval of others. It is not necessary

The style of which world celebrities give you the biggest impression and why?
I like the style of Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp. You will not see these people following fashionable trends, they may have them in mind, but have made a very strong individual style. I return to what I said at the beginning - no one would care for their style if it was not the things they did in their profession.

Photos:
1. Niki Iliev with the statuette "BG Fashion Icon".
Photo: Ivan Kolovos / Academy of Fashion
2. Prof. Lubomir Stoykov, Niki Iliev and Yoanna Boukovska-Davidova.
Photo: Anton Markov / Academy of Fashion
3. The winners of the "Fashion Icon 2017" award: Niki Iliev, Kapka Amzina, Iliana Zaharieva, Yordana Dimitrova, Iliana Raeva, Gala and Niki Kanchev, together with Prof. Lubomir Stoykov.
Photo: Anton Markov / Academy of Fashion
4. - 12. Niki Iliev
Photo: Personal archive / Hilife
13. Niki Iliev and Prof. Lubomir Stoykov at the "Celebrity of the Year" awards - Sofia - Planet Club, 2018
Photo: © Mihaela Borisova / In Life