Miroslava Duma wears an Oscar de la Renta cotton-blend tweed jacket

“My first memory of Oscar de la Renta goes back to my childhood. I remember my mum wearing some beautiful Oscar de le Renta dresses, and I dreamed of having one when I grew up.” — Miroslava Duma

Like Miroslava Duma, we’ve all dreamt of one day owning an Oscar de la Renta dress. That “one day”, for some of us, has arrived as the second exclusive collection by Oscar de la Renta for The Outnet hit the online outlet retailer this week.

As if that’s not exciting enough for fashion lovers everywhere, the collection’s campaign is fronted by Duma, one of the most photographed and followed street-style star of the moment and, of course, a regular face in Front Row. You might also know Mira — as she’s affectionately known to friends and fans — to be the founder of fashion news website Buro247 and former editor of Russian Harper’s Bazaar, among other fabulous hats she wears.

“I love the Oscar de la Renta for The Outnet collection... It’s elegant, sophisticated and chic — exactly how every woman wants to look,” says the Moscow-based fashionista.

The limited-edition capsule collection consists of 19 ready-to-wear styles, including 12 resort pieces. Deciding what to buy won’t be easy with De la Renta’s breath-taking First-Lady-like dresses, skirts and embellished tops in a variety of luxe fabrics and gorgeous prints.

“It’s like a dream,” says Duma.

In an exclusive email interview with SingaporeTatler.com, Miroslava Duma tells us more about the dream collection, her impeccable style, latest obsessions and how her love of fashion went from pleasure to a hugely successful career.

Duma wears an Oscar de la Renta tweed pencil skirt

 

Singapore Tatler: How did the collaboration between you, Oscar de la Renta and The Outnet come about?

Miroslava Duma: I have been friends with the Oscar de la Renta brand for a really long time, and with The Outnet, too, so the idea to collaborate came about naturally.

 

Singapore Tatler: How would you describe this special collection?

Miroslava Duma: Oscar de la Renta’s style is very classic, very uptown. The beautiful silk dresses and feminine silhouettes from this collection are very elegant and sophisticated… You can find pieces for every occasion.

 

Left: Oscar de la Renta printed silk-chiffon dress

Right: Oscar de la Renta silk-twill and wool-blend jacquard dress

 

Singapore Tatler: How much of your personal style can we expect to see in the pieces?

Miroslava Duma: I’m not a model, and not everything looks good on me. When I go to shows, I wear something that I’m comfortable and confident in — something cool that I love and have styled myself. The Oscar de la Renta for The Outnet pieces are so strong, they don’t need anything else.

 

Singapore Tatler: You’re a woman who wears many hats — how would you sum up who Miroslava Duma is in 140 characters?

Miroslava Duma: Miroslava Duma is a happy mom, founder of Buro 24/7, Digital Media Director at TSUM, a digital investor and a founder of the charity fund Peace Planet.

 

Left: Oscar de la Renta printed silk-mikado dress

Right: Oscar de la Renta floral-print silk and cotton-blend skirt

 

Singapore Tatler: How did your love affair with fashion begin?

Miroslava Duma: I have always been keen on fashion. I loved playing with clothes as a kid, and as a result I am working in a sphere which started as a pleasure for me. My fashion career started as the editor of Harper’s Bazaar Russia.

Singapore Tatler: How do you decide what look to go for every day?

Miroslava Duma: Usually it all depends on my mood. I never think too long about what to wear. Because I am still experimenting with my style, I just mix things and see how they match or don’t match together. In Russia (in winter), you just need to warm up and not think about anything! London is more about “hipster” style, while Paris is very classic, chic and sophisticated. New York is very cool and young, and I love to wear American designers while I’m there, such as Alexander Wang and Jason Wu. I also adore the uptown style of Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren.

 

Left: Oscar de la Renta houndstooth tweed and chiffon dress

Right: Oscar de la Renta floral-print silk and cotton-blend dress

 

Singapore Tatler: What’s your latest obsession? 

Miroslava Duma: I love Vika Gazinskaya, Alexander Terekhov, A La Russe and Vilshenko. My latest obsession is a jewellery collection by Natasha Zinko, and A.W.A.K.E collections by Natasha Alaverdyan.

 

Singapore Tatler: What’s your secret to doing it all — and doing it all in style?

Miroslava Duma: In Russia, we have a saying: The more you do, the more you manage. I always prioritise things, and time management helps me a lot. I love what I do and this is why I try to do as much as possible in 24 hours.

 

 

Watch the video on Miroslava Duma's first memory of Oscar de la Renta and more:

 

 

The Oscar de la Renta for The Outnet collection is available exclusively at www.theoutnet.com from December 17, 2013. Prices start from S$513 for a top to S$1,839 for a taffeta dress.