Meet Olga Bazlova | Costume Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Olga Bazlova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Olga, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
My search for what balance means to me has never stopped, especially, since my hobby turned into a passion and, eventually, a life’s work.

It’s more than just a creative career, it’s a lifestyle. There’s no fixed schedule for work hours, no formal vacation planning, and no set schedules. My mind is constantly brimming with ideas. The joy lies in the work itself, something I’m truly passionate about. On the flip side, running my own business means I’m juggling multiple responsibilities all the time, which can be challenging. I begin questioning balance when work starts to exhaust me entirely. No matter how much I love what I do, my health and well-being have limits, and I need downtime to recharge.

Our business is specific and seasonal. During the busy fall and winter months, it’s nonstop. We have athletes from all over relying on us, and keeping up with their competition schedules is a constant task. There’s no room for long-term planning as deadlines dictate the workflow. And there’s always something unexpected popping up, but commitments must be honored. During the high season, it’s common to sacrifice personal and nighttime hours. It sounds unbelievable, but there’s a thrill in pushing the limits of our productivity: How many costumes would be possible to make in a week? Years ago, I would never have believed that it would be possible to complete a costume in 24 hours if someone had told me. Seeing how hard work pays off is the best feeling ever. Happy customers are an endless source of inspiration.

Naturally, I desire more time for myself and my family, and being my own boss lets me be flexible. I can take a day off midweek to catch my kids’ performances or take time to relax more in the summer when work slows down. It’s a different kind of balance. Turning off isn’t easy – creativity doesn’t have an off switch. I might not get winter weekends off, but I can take time to relax more in the summer without compromising work. Balancing work and personal life is an ongoing struggle. Finding balance is a journey, and I’m still figuring out what that looks like for me.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
In my journey as a swimsuit designer, I began by creating unique and eye-catching suits for my daughters, which quickly attracted attention within the local synchronized swimming community. This led to interest from other parents looking for suits for their athletes. As with everything new, not everyone took me seriously, and in some ways, I faced resistance. Only my daughter’s belief in my talent gave me the confidence to reach a new, higher level. She took over my Instagram and Facebook accounts, and my husband, seeing our growth, left his job to join us in our small family venture. Together, we’ve achieved great success and created swimsuits for many elite athletes for European, World Championships, and the Olympics.

What truly sets us apart is our ability to create one-of-a-kind designs. We give our customers the freedom to express their desires, confident that we can bring their visions to life like no one else can, all while maintaining high standards. We work closely with our clients on designs, listening to their input while also offering our own ideas, always striving for the best results. Our pride lies in the quality of our suits. We provide a strong emphasis on every detail: flawless stitching, perfectly matched threads, artfully applied paint, and careful application of glue. We aim to accentuate the beauty of the athletic body, maintain the integrity of the design, and ensure all key elements of the design are preserved. When it comes to fitting the suits, I’m extremely meticulous. Perfectionism is evident in every aspect of our work, ensuring that our customers receive exactly what was promised in the design and what they expect.

We’re open to new ideas and enjoy experimenting. There are many stories about how new ideas are born. One of our proudest moments was introducing adjustable straps to the synchronized swimming costumes. I remember receiving my first order about ten years ago for an open-back suit from abroad and feeling panicked because I couldn’t ensure a perfect fit without a fitting. This led to the idea of adjustable straps. I thought about bras and wondered why they have adjustable straps but not swimsuits. We were the first to use paint on suits, making them more colorful and visually appealing, and we increased the number of stones on the costumes. There were many experiments involved, such as searching for the right glue to use so that the stones wouldn’t fall off and determining what paint to use. We continue to experiment. It’s all part of the creative process, and we love every minute of it.

Our business is in a relatively new field. While we set the standard for quality and innovation, not everyone appreciates the craftsmanship and effort behind our work. One of the biggest challenges we face is stealing of our intellectual property. While we can’t completely prevent the copying of our designs, we choose to view it from a different perspective: We lead – everyone else follows.

The business has given us an opportunity to move forward and relocate for further growth. Nothing is impossible: dream, create, and keep creating.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve called St. Petersburg home for most of my life. It’s a city rich in history that has always inspired me through its architecture, museums, exhibitions, and theaters. However, for nearly two years now, I’ve been living in a different country, in a different city. I’m still searching for hidden gems that would become special to me. For anyone willing to visit, I’d happily guide them through the streets of the city. We could sit down in one of the many cafes, enjoy the lovely weather, talk over a cup of coffee, and just savor the moment.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to give a big shoutout to my amazing family! Their constant support is my driving force. My daughters, Irina and Antonina, were the ones who encouraged me to follow the creative path. They were my first mermaid-models, bringing my innovative ideas in the world of synchronized swimming, and they continue to inspire me daily. Irina has become my right hand, a true multitasker, pouring her passion into our family business. And then there’s my husband, a gifted artist who stands by my side, sharing my vision and dedication. I’m also deeply thankful for my younger children, Valeriia and Tikhon, whose understanding and encouragement make balancing my business and motherhood a bit easier.

I can’t forget to mention Olga, Antonina’s first coach and an Olympic champion. She also has been an invaluable source of support and inspiration as I delved into swimsuit design. Her insights from her athletic background were instrumental in the early stages of my creative adventure. And, of course, a huge thank you to all my customers! Their trust in me and my work means the world to me. Many of them have even become close friends over time. It’s been a collective effort, and I’m deeply grateful to each and every person who has contributed to my journey.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/synchroswimsuit/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/synchroswimsuit/

Image Credits
Irina Bazlova