THE DESIGNER
We often use the term designer instead of designer due to the complexity of the work. Design is an approach that is not only about designing objects, but also includes the process from problem formulation to the finished object, including the design of not only objects, but also processes and services. For Réka, this means that she not only designs shoes based on fashion trends, but also takes into account their use, customer needs, shoe-related services and larger social trends. This is how models can be made that remain popular for decades.
Fun fact: Réka is left-handed. However, during the internships, it quickly became clear that basically all shoemaking tools were designed for right-handed use. Since the system was not prepared for left-handed people, Réka had to learn to use all the tools with her right hand.
Fun fact: Réka is left-handed. However, during the internships, it quickly became clear that basically all shoemaking tools were designed for right-handed use. Since the system was not prepared for left-handed people, Réka had to learn to use all the tools with her right hand.
THE BRAND
After defending her diploma in 2003, Réka immediately received the order for her first custom wedding shoes. The large classic hand-sewn, traditional shoe workshops bear the names of the founders and this gives them credibility. The name Vágó Réka was included as the brand name in the first custom wedding shoes. Between 2003 and 2005, so many collaborations and experimental projects were made that Réka decided to prepare the nascent brand so that its name would later be easier to pronounce abroad. From 2005, the shoes were made under the REKAVAGO brand name, and since 2009 it has been under trademark protection.
Fun fact: The shoes were called "vágórékacipő" (cut-out shoes) by the public for a long time. Réka dates the brand's transformation from there, when others started calling the brand 'rekavago'. Today, REKAVAGO has become a separate entity, with its own personality thanks to its customers. Of course, there are still raw material suppliers who greet you with "Hello Rekavago!"
Fun fact: The shoes were called "vágórékacipő" (cut-out shoes) by the public for a long time. Réka dates the brand's transformation from there, when others started calling the brand 'rekavago'. Today, REKAVAGO has become a separate entity, with its own personality thanks to its customers. Of course, there are still raw material suppliers who greet you with "Hello Rekavago!"
INSPIRATION
A creative person never switches off, because every piece of information is a trigger for a new idea. For Réka, traveling, dancing, listening to music, art, and walks in nature are the most inspiring experiences. For her, there are two ways to get the best ideas: either through lots of sketching and intense brainstorming, or through complete detachment and relaxation.
Fun fact: In every interview, the question is asked how a designer gets inspired, is it difficult to design? According to Réka, it is not the inspiration that is difficult to find, and there are always ideas. The hardest part of the job is self-censorship – when you have to decide whether an idea or design is worth taking further and including in a collection. These have to be clear, well-thought-out, firm decisions, while also leaving room for the designer's intuition.
Fun fact: In every interview, the question is asked how a designer gets inspired, is it difficult to design? According to Réka, it is not the inspiration that is difficult to find, and there are always ideas. The hardest part of the job is self-censorship – when you have to decide whether an idea or design is worth taking further and including in a collection. These have to be clear, well-thought-out, firm decisions, while also leaving room for the designer's intuition.
SKETCHING
Réka still starts designing in her head and then continues on paper with a ballpoint pen or graphite pencil (2B and 4B). She only digitizes the designs when they reach the presentation phase. In order for shoes to work later and truly create magic, they need to be filled with soul, and this requires hands and touch. Sketching is a visual throwing of ideas at each other, which can eventually lead to even more ideas.
Once the basic models are created, 3D modeling begins. The final visual designs are created when a prototype of the shoe has been made.
Fun fact: Réka starts her designs on 'cheese paper', all sorts of scraps of paper, with very small sketches. Her attraction to pencil and paper developed as a child. She went to an elementary school with a drawing department, but more importantly, on her way to ballet class, there was a huge Ápisz (State Papier és Irószer Kereskedelmi Vállalat) store, where she would always stop by and buy scented erasers, pencils or small notebooks. She always collected so many of these that she held a raffle at her birthday party.
Fun fact: Réka starts her designs on 'cheese paper', all sorts of scraps of paper, with very small sketches. Her attraction to pencil and paper developed as a child. She went to an elementary school with a drawing department, but more importantly, on her way to ballet class, there was a huge Ápisz (State Papier és Irószer Kereskedelmi Vállalat) store, where she would always stop by and buy scented erasers, pencils or small notebooks. She always collected so many of these that she held a raffle at her birthday party.
MODELING
Pattern making is the process of creating sample models, in fact, this phase is the birth of shoes. In this phase, the models become visible to the naked eye for others besides the designer. What previously existed only in the head, as a sketch or digitally in 2D, now becomes a 3-dimensional object. There will ultimately be many differences between the plan on paper and the final shoe, sometimes smaller, sometimes larger. In order to finalize and perfect each shoe, foot tests are also necessary, during which improvements can be made based on comfort and visual aspects.
Fun fact: Living by the slogan “my feet are always at hand”, Réka often models new models on her own feet. Traditionally, women's sample shoes are made in size 37, but for this reason, 90% of the sample shoes at the REKAVAGO brand are size 39.
Fun fact: Living by the slogan “my feet are always at hand”, Réka often models new models on her own feet. Traditionally, women's sample shoes are made in size 37, but for this reason, 90% of the sample shoes at the REKAVAGO brand are size 39.
