Behind the Embroidery: A Mother-Daughter Creative Journey at XCVI

At the heart of XCVI’s new Resort collection lies something truly special—vibrant, hand-drawn embroidery designed by a dynamic mother-daughter duo—XCVI’s designer, Lilia Gorodnitski, and her 24-year-old daughter Nadia, a budding illustrator and aspiring tattoo artist. This unique collaboration brings together family bonds and artistic expression through vibrant embroidered designs. The embroidered pieces, which feature intricate motifs like traditional Japanese-inspired dragons, are the result of months-long creative partnership between the two artists.

The journey began when Lilia approached her daughter with the idea of incorporating hand-drawn elements into their clothing. “There’s a special energy when someone handcrafts something,” says Lilia.

Nadia, whose artistic background is a mix of self-study and a deep personal connection to drawing, saw this as a chance to merge her influences—classic Japanese art and vintage 90s tattoo designs—with XCVI’s heritage. “I was excited to experiment and indulge in the world of classic 90s tattoos,” she explains. Growing up surrounded by fashion and design, it was a natural fit for Nadia to step into the role of collaborator, blending her personal vision with the brand’s iconic style. 

As the project progressed, the collaboration between mother and daughter evolved in ways neither of them had fully anticipated. Although Nadia started with a clear vision—drawing from her love of Japanese dragon imagery—the design changed and grew throughout the process. Working closely with her mother, they experimented with elements like clouds, stars, and different dragon compositions, playing with placement and texture. Nadia’s artwork moved from paper to fabric, adding depth and dimension to the garments, which was a rewarding experience for her. This was Nadia’s first time seeing her work come to life on fabric, and she describes how it built her confidence as both an artist and designer. “To know people enjoy it is just the cherry on top,” says Nadia.

The creative process wasn’t without its challenges. Nadia found herself drawing and redrawing, piecing together elements to create the best possible compositions. Her mother, being more traditionally trained in fashion design, helped guide the technical aspects, while still giving Nadia the freedom to experiment. They found a natural rhythm in bouncing ideas back and forth, meeting in the middle when necessary. Together, they struck the balance between personal expression and creating something wearable and cohesive for XCVI’s audience.

One of the most gratifying moments came when they saw the final product—Nadia’s art fully realized in three dimensions. It was a learning experience for both, not just in terms of the design process, but also in how their collaboration brought them closer.

Lilia reflected on how this project allowed her to witness her daughter’s growth, both as an artist and as a person, and it reminded her of the joy that comes from rediscovering each other in new ways. “It is one of those incredible, rewarding moments of being a parent,” she says.

Looking ahead, they’re already thinking about their next project together. The experience of creating art together and seeing it embraced by others has been both inspiring and rewarding for them. Nadia, in particular, is excited about where her art could go from here, and her mother is thrilled to continue exploring this shared creative space.

The embroidered designs in this collection aren’t just about fashion; they are a celebration of collaboration, creativity, and family.

The pieces carry the unique energy that comes from a handcrafted, homegrown partnership, where the vision was shaped together and brought to life in a way that honors both XCVI’s history and the personal artistry of Nadia and
Lilia. For both mother and daughter, this collaboration is just the beginning of a creative journey that promises more exciting work ahead that’s always made with the utmost love.