Joanna Klimas was born in Olsztyn. She graduated from the University of Warsaw, Faculty of Psychology (diploma in clinical psychology). She was involved in the work of the Psychoeducation Laboratory. After a decade of work, she decided to take a 6-month leave from work and never came back.

In 1994 she engaged herself in the business of a clothing company which was in decline. It was in this sewing room that the designer pinned up clothes on a mannequin for the first time. She played with form, texture and colour. Her first designs turned out to be a revolution in the 1990s – the time of fascination with the western splendour. Many people still can remember a simple, two-layer georgette dress and a tight-fitting, single-breasted jacket. Joanna Klimas started designing clothes in a way which was then described with only one word – minimalism. Simple forms, perfect style and noble fabric became her trade mark.

In 1995 the first edition of Polish ELLE, which included clothes by Joanna Klimas, was published. ELLE awarded her with the Best Designer award twice (in 1998 and 1999). In 1996, on Chmielna Street in Warsaw, the first boutique by Joanna Klimas was opened – it was the first designer shop in the capital. One year later, pioneer shows were organized. They introduced global standards into the Polish fashion. The shows were organized in the foyer of the Teatr Wielki (the Grad Theatre) and Sala Kongresowa (the Congress Hall) and the models, although now it

seems obvious, walked one after the other (before they had presented clothes while performing choreography). In 1997, in the old Lace Factory, Joanna Klimas opened an atelier on a street which was unknown to many people at that time – on Burakowska Street. Today, it is one of the most important and original places on the map of Warsaw.

Another great influence the designer had on the Polish fashion market was organising first fashion shows. Today they are called advertising campaigns. She also started the fashion of publishing image sessions and catalogues.

In 2001, Joanna Klimas withdrew from the fashion world. She rested while designing costumes for opera performers, e.g. in 2002 she designed costumes for “Oniegina” by Mariusz Teliński. In 2003, Anna Sieradzka published a book entitled „Tysiąc lat ubiorów w Polsce” (Thousand Years of Clothes in Poland) in which she included Joanna Klimas’ designs.

In 2008, the designer decided to go back to the world of fashion. She opened another atelier in a similarly original place as years ago – this time in Muranów in Warsaw, at the corner of Nowolipki and Zamenhofa streets. Despite the showroom and clothes shop, the designer also opened a coffee shop where customers can read books and magazines on fashion and art, which the designer had been collecting for many years. She is also an active member of Stowarzyszenie Stacja Muranów acting in favour of old Muranów.

present lookbook

present fashion week łódź

presselle

pressmarie claire | viva

| glamour

presswysokie obcay

| zwierciadło | malemen

pastlookbook 2010

pastfashion show 2010

pastphotography sesion 2007

pastabsolut klimas 1998

pastphotography sesion 1998

pastphotography sesion1998

pastphotography sesion 1997

pastnorblin factory 1996