Natalia
Natalia Fedner is a Los Angeles–based couture designer, born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She studied at Parsons School of Design in New York and Paris, and went on to work for Calvin Klein Collection, Donna Karan Collection, and Marc Jacobs.
She is the inventor of Stretch Metal — a patented textile of real metal chain knitted into fabric — and is known for avant-garde designs worn by Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Cher, and many more. Her work has walked Paris and New York runways, appeared in the windows of Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue, and been featured in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle.
On Project Runway: Under the Gunn she created the series' first working mechanical dress. Her fascination with invention began at age four, collecting colored wires in Ukraine — and today she is expanding her patented textile into her first fine-art offering.
Atelier
Natalia leads a small team crafting one-of-a-kind wearable-art pieces in Los Angeles. Working with vintage silk fabrics wherever possible, the atelier is committed to environmentally and animal-friendly practices.
The yarn, the garments, and even the hand-engraved brand tags are all made in Los Angeles — production stays in the USA. Her signature "Black Widow" knitwear uses no electricity at all: every stitch moved by hand, sewn with French haute couture techniques.
Stretch Metal
After rigorous trial and error, Natalia designed a 100% metal textile with six-way stretch — a fabric of real linked metal chain that molds to the body and adopts the wearer's heat within fifteen seconds. Comfortable, strong, and unlike anything else in fashion.
Patented in 2021, the textile remains the foundation of the house, with plans to keep building on it and to collaborate with other designers and companies.
Production
The atelier offers custom designs alongside an annual collection. As handmade couture, quantities are limited — but turnaround is fast, generally four to six weeks.
Stylists are invited to write with the client's name in the subject line; lending services are available for select celebrities. Stores, please send your store information to info@nataliafedner.com.