We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eszter Polyák. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eszter below.

Hi Eszter, thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I believe success requires a combination of resilience, passion, adaptability, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. It’s about constantly learning, taking risks, and staying true to your vision, even when the path gets challenging.

One story that shaped my view on success goes back to when I was 17, living in Key West with my brother. It was there I met a drag queen(Sushi) who taught me how to sew. At the time, it was an unexpected and unconventional start to my journey, but it became a defining moment for me. That experience taught me that inspiration and mentorship can come from the most surprising places, and that embracing those opportunities can lead to incredible growth.

As I progressed in my career, I discovered the power of collaboration and innovation. From creating avant-garde designs to working on movie costumes, I’ve learned that pushing creative boundaries and embracing challenges often lead to the most rewarding outcomes.

What I’ve learned is that success isn’t just about reaching a destination—it’s about the journey, the lessons learned along the way, and the people who help shape your story. Staying curious, being open to new experiences, and having the courage to pursue your dreams relentlessly are the keys to creating a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Eszter, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Eszter Polyák, a fashion and costume designer with a passion for creating bold, avant-garde, and thought-provoking designs. My journey into this industry began at 17 in Key West, where I had the incredible opportunity to learn sewing from a drag queen. That experience not only taught me technical skills but also showed me the transformative power of fashion and self-expression, which became a driving force in my career.

Since then, I’ve immersed myself in a variety of creative industries, from circus costume design to high-profile film productions. I specialize in crafting unique costumes and fashion pieces that often incorporate recycled materials like transparent plastics and resin. These materials give my work a signature look—one that explores themes of untouchability and paradox.

One of the aspects that sets me apart is my ability to blend the worlds of art, fashion, and storytelling. My designs are not just garments; they are extensions of a narrative, often reflecting complex emotions or cultural paradoxes. For example, in one of my recent projects, I designed extreme outfits for a performance that explored the impact of social media on body image, featuring a dancer entangled in plastic film to symbolize societal constraints.

I’m most proud of the recognition my work has received internationally, including at Cannes and through my contributions to films like Disney’s Alien: Romulus and upcoming projects. These experiences have solidified my belief that fashion and costume design can evoke powerful emotions and create unforgettable moments.

For clients, collaborators, and followers, I want them to know that my brand is all about pushing boundaries, embracing sustainability, and telling stories through design. Whether I’m creating a one-of-a-kind costume for a film or an avant-garde piece for an exhibition, my focus is always on crafting something unique, impactful, and deeply personal.

Ultimately, my goal is to inspire others through my work, proving that fashion and art can be a platform for innovation, expression, and meaningful dialogue.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the most demanding yet rewarding moments in my journey was when we shot NOT2B, my fashion show short movie. At the time, I was juggling multiple projects while finalizing the collection featured in the film. As the shoot approached, I realized there was still so much to do—pieces to finish, adjustments to make, and styling decisions to finalize.

In the last three days leading up to the shoot, I didn’t sleep at all. Every hour was dedicated to ensuring every detail of the collection was perfect and aligned with the vision I had in mind. The exhaustion was real, but for me, it’s something I’ve become accustomed to—when deadlines loom, I give it everything I have, because I believe the work must always be ready and delivered at its best.

The day of the shoot, despite being sleep-deprived, seeing the skeletons—my ‘models’—step onto the set wearing my transparent plastic outfits was an unforgettable moment. The contrast between the skeletal forms and the delicate, translucent materials created an ethereal and hauntingly beautiful effect. It perfectly encapsulated the themes I was exploring in the collection: fragility, untouchability, and the paradox of presence and absence.

This experience reinforced that resilience isn’t just about overcoming obstacles but about committing wholeheartedly to your vision, no matter how challenging the process may be. Every sleepless night and moment of pressure was worth it to see such a unique concept come to life.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was about the meaning of my art. When I first started creating, I believed that each piece I made had a fixed meaning, one that was only truly understood by me as the artist. I thought the interpretation should align with my vision. However, over time, I learned that art can take on a life of its own.

What fascinated me was how people would see something entirely different in my work. They would find meaning or emotions in my pieces that I had never intended. Some would share deeply personal stories or unique interpretations that would make me look at my own creation from a completely new perspective.

I reached a point where I realized that the meaning of a piece wasn’t just mine to dictate—it belonged to the viewer as much as it belonged to me. Now, when someone asks me about the meaning of a piece, I’ll often listen to their interpretation first. Their perspective is often so much more interesting than I expected, and it’s a reminder that art is as much about what it evokes in others as it is about what it means to the creator.

That’s why my main goal is to give everyone an escape from their own reality through my designs—allowing them to explore new perspectives, challenge their perceptions, and experience something that feels personal and transformative to them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eszterpolyak.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.eszterpolyak/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EszterPolyakDesign
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eszter-polyak/
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10730097/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Image Credits

Photographers: Ádám Urbán, Ádám Földi, Ashlyn Des Roches, Andrea Szatmári