Image by Zlata Mechetina
Hi, my name is Zlata (@zlata.mechetina). I am a Gen Z curator and producer who is passionate about blurring the boundaries of club, theatre, and baroque aesthetics and presenting them within the context of everyday life. I’m always on the lookout to collaborate on exciting music projects, particularly those that push the limits of creativity.
As the co-founder of Fetchish Studio, I believe that club nights can transcend a typical night of sound and dance– they can be theatrical, playful, and hybrid. Club nights are an opportunity to manage the interplay between PR, set design, and cultural contexts.
Images by Zlata Mechetina
What are your neighbourhood’s go to places?
Mag Culture is a newly-established place where I go for visual references and inspiration. It is an online resource, a magazine shop, events producer and editorial consultancy, which recently opened a space in Angel.
Image by Zlata Mechetina
I also love Cafe Kick. I don't know if I can put into words my tenderness towards it – but more than thrice I have met my friends there with their dates (and me with mine). We would shoot each other cheeky smiles, pretending we hadn't noticed each other. Later, each time, we’d reunite for a game of backgammon.
Images by Zlata Mechetina
It might be a bit basic of me – but the sporty exterior, the food, the staff, and the vibe are all outstanding (especially their margaritas). People say you can sometimes find a Zenit St Petersburg scarf amidst all the St Etienne and Lusitanian gear… Cafe Kick is an effortlessly cool family-run business, and it is ten minutes away from the place where I played chess throughout the Spring and Summer this past year. Here we go, it is Four Corner Club.
Image by Zlata Mechetina
Can you reveal one of your hidden gems in London to hang out?
Let’s start with something hedonistic and Georgian. Kinkally is a minimalist spot in the Bloomsbury area. They have amazing cocktails and very friendly bartenders— it’s the perfect place to gather and gossip every month or so. Their cuisine mixes influences from across Europe, Asia and the Middle-East, offering small platters of khinkali dumplings, tartars and more, which are best accompanied by the outstanding drinks on their menu, like vodka with goat cheese or some sparkling wine, or another one with the touches of sake and a pineapple melting ice.
Also, when the bribe is right, their bartenders will spill all of the juicy intel about the Eastern-European nouveau riche diaspora. If you don’t succeed in that, you might still share a complementary shot of kagor.
Image by Zlata Mechetina
What’s the place in London that is at the top of your list to try out?
One of the places that I really want to check out is Pivot 7 Club— it is a self-organised and continuously evolving creative community and gallery space. I kept missing their events this past year but I absolutely love their Instagram feed. It’s delicate and snobbish and reminds me of the end of siecle salons.
Pivot 7 aims to foster intimate, creative environments where artists and art enthusiasts can connect and exchange ideas without being overwhelmed. Even though their minimalist aesthetic and approach to projects looks highly intuitive, I really like the sense of exclusivity and curatorial selection they have.
PS: I want to style myself a Victorian baby look to go there.
What are your cool spots in London that never fail to impress?
I will suggest two opposites. First, an eclectic collection of art and curiosities at the Sir John Soane museum (giving Lynch if he was a British aristocrat). It is a house museum, located next to Lincoln's Inn Fields in Holborn, which was formerly the home of Sir John Soane (duh), the neo-classical architect, until 1837. The building is amassed by many thousands of objects, including Canaletto, an empty case of Peter the Great pistol, and the Sarcophagus of Seti I.
Image via Sir Joan Sloane website
The next is Gossamer Fog — a gallery and production studio. They are presenting the most playful and experimental selection of post-internet and science art.
Images via @linatheebean I Linked Out: Logged In (2024)
Produced by @gossamerfog & @enclaveprojects with support from @aceagrams
Which events are on your radar for the coming weeks?
Alright, the OG one is The Rite of Spring by Pina Bausch, in Sadler Wells. I have seen this ballet in different variations on Youtube but I think it is the time to watch it live.
Also, I have pre-saved the sale of tickets to Chekhov’s Seagull with Cate Blanchett at the Barbican next Spring.
Another must-go for me is, of course, Fetchish Studio upcoming event on FANDOMS.
I am also interested in Open Secret opening on 25 November. It is a touring screening of internet cinema curated by Dana Dawud accompanied by the launch of an eponymous publication – in the best tradition of Digital Tarkovsky by metahaven.
What’s the most memorable event you’ve attended in the past few months?
I would say that NEWPHORIA: THE END OF REALITY RAVE. This fête like no other brought forth by ecolagbohrsac2021 x Fetchish. It was like Coachella on steroids, but in London, and with punk noise, gabber, and hardcore. The line up had a lavish selection of London’s most raw and pioneering artists. And, of course we welcomed Lill Texas as our headliner. He is an American hardcore cowboy on tour and his sets are loaded with “synth stabs, horror film samples, and a clear punk and grindcore”. I was enthralled by that night – it was filled with the sexy and lush artistry of London’s underground genre-mashing club mayhem.
What’s your guilty pleasure in London?
Clothes for sure. Not even buying them necessarily, but I really enjoy hanging out on my own and checking out vintage spots or small designers.
Image by Zlata Mechetina
My hand picked favourites are Nordic Poetry and latex things from Monique Fei.
For me Nordic Poetry is one of London’s best-kept secrets. Founded by Swedish entrepreneur Ameli Lindgren, their carefully curated collection is set against their iconic pink interiors designed by Scott Smith. What makes Nordic Poetry truly special, though, is the rare designer pieces they stock. For example, they have an original Alexander McQueen Crucifix Mask from the Fall/Winter 1996/97 collection, which is an extraordinary find. Only about seven of these masks exist, and one even made a recent cameo in Kanye West’s styling. It’s that kind of exclusive, high-end vintage that makes Nordic Poetry a real gem in the London fashion scene— a true combination of history, art, and fashion.
Image via Nordic Poetry
One of my recent obsessions is Monique Fei’s brand. I am absolutely in love with their playful and cheeky vision. Her textiles are, above all, a playful experimentation and knit fetishes apparently.
Opia for Coeval September 2024, Milan, Editorial
Your favourite community or grassroots initiative in London?
I would say @shshchts! I rarely go out those days – but their ongoing takeover of the Old Church in Stoke Newington is fascinating and one of the peak ambient, noise and other forms of electronic/punk music. And to be honest I loved their prank that Aphex Twin would play at their gig.
Another creative collective that I always look up to in terms of the visuals or artist curation is definitely @_maxxing.
Who in London should we follow for creative for creative inspiration?
I would say @everyoneisagirl and @everyoneisaboy.
