After a hiatus of almost 10 years, Joanna Klimas, one of Poland's most distinctive and original designers, has returned to the world of fashion. The long-awaited premiere of her fall/winter 2010/2011 collection took place Jan. 28 in Warsaw's Muranów district, in the exclusive setting of the Trio apartment building.

This collection is different from anything Klimas produced earlier. The main themes are Polish folk motifs. The show included the designer's original footwear. Klimas herself always emphasizes she wants to be a recognizably Polish designer and wants items bearing her name to be distinctive and original.

"My aim is to remain a recognizable Polish designer like I used to be, to show things that are distinctive and original," Klimas says. "I would really like my designs to contribute, if only to a small extent, to preserving what is so precious-tradition and craftsmanship."

Another attraction of the evening was a concert by singer and pianist Gaba Kulka, an artist who moves freely between musical styles and conventions. She and Konrad Kucz, known for his electronic and laid-back club sounds, performed a concert version of pieces from the Kucz/Kulka project.

M.R.