“Nature is the core of myinspiration,” says designer Risto Bimbiloski, whose collections have exploredpredators, galaxies, neon reflections on dark waters, and for spring, a lighteningstorm over an erupting volcano. Honoring his Macedonian heritage, where knitting forms a central part of the matriarchal culture,Bimbiloski launched his knitwear line for women in 2002, marrying traditionaltechniques with modern design. “I produce my collection in my familyfactory on the beautiful Lake of Ohrid,” he explains. “Every woman of theatelier brings her own family heritage of craftsmanship, which gives a personalnote to the garments.” Design houses have sat up and taken notice of his skill, with Louis Vuitton hand-picking him in 2006 to head up its men’s knitwearline, and in September 2009 Bimbiloski invaded New York with his springcollection relaunched as Risto.  “As an adolescent I followed the New Yorkand American noise and art scene, and for me it was quite natural to start toshow there—I feel that I fit.” The designer’s work with prints isnow starting to take center stage, with two custom prints imitatinglava and lightning that reference an image of Chile's Chaiten Volcano informing dresses, bodysuits and leggings in his current collection. “I came across the image on NASA’s APODblog—checking it is how I start most days,” Bimbiloski says.