Their Story
Durdica Vorkapic is the head designer and creative director for Hippy Garden, which was founded in 2000 and is a 100% Croatian fashion and lifestyle brand. The brand has an eco-friendly lean and is focused on innovative design and high-quality products. In the late 90’s, Durdica decided to create a fashion brand and Hippy Garden was born. In her words, “I’m happy knowing I’m able to make my dreams and visions become reality through my love and passion for creating and innovating.” It was intended to represent a collective inspiration of one’s spirit and energy with its own sense of beauty and power. The brand takes environmental issues and social responsibility very seriously by partnering with various charities to stimulate the country’s production and overall economy. If you ask Durdica where she gets her inspiration for her collections, she would passionately tell you that she lays down on the table in the middle of her cutting room floor and that is when the magic really starts to happen.
Our Story
I first encountered Hippy Garden doing a late night search online for ‘hottest designers in Croatia” while preparing for a vacation to the country. I instantaneously thought they were too cool to take a meeting with me... until they did. I raced around Zagreb's cobblestone streets with my new Croatian friend. It was raining and we were late, but Durdica, and her husband and business partner, Sasa, welcomed us in with open arms. The showroom was magical and full of samples for Hippy Garden’s upcoming and not yet announced collection. With my limited restraint, as those that know me, I began touching, picking up and very presumptuously trying things on! Who did I think I was? But, they embraced my crazy. They lunch the way I like to lunch, with multiple bottles of the most beautiful sparkling Rose’! As I was leaving, they pulled out a laptop case that was leather backed with the most beautiful woven topside adorned with brilliant flowers and butterflies. The case hailed from their latest collection and was named ‘the frequency of happiness’. This was the day that happiness frequency met the OPTIMIST and a beautiful friendship was MADE. To this day, that laptop case never leaves my side. Pictured here is the photo account of my first Hippy Garden store visit, where I was anxious to capture memories of all the beautiful pieces that I wanted packed in my suitcase!
