Meet This Stylish Hungarian Costume Designer Thriving in the Big-Ass Apple
Estimated Time of Arrival — Issue #18 Life and love will always find a way no matter how hard it is or how long it takes.
Top of the mornin’ folks,
Welcome to E.T.A.H, your weekly newsletter where yours truly, Paula Romeu-Garcia, introduces the hottest up-and-coming artists from around the world and asks them uncomfortable questions…
This week we’re* introducing someone so special to me…
Must have been my first few days in New York City.
I was fresh off the plane from Kenya, living smack in the middle of Flatbush and getting used to the hood by walking Snoop Dogg in Prospect Park.
And mingling with the early dog crew.
Among the hundreds of pooches that gather every morning, there was this little, round, lemur-eyed, soft ball of fur called Samu, the killer whale and him and Snoop became pals. So obvi we did.
(Folks, if you’re lacking friends or lovers, borrow or rescue a dog!)
For our first friend date, I asked her if she’d walk 2 hours with me across Brooklyn to go process a couple of super8 film rolls from Africa in some rando warehouse.
(FYI This was the result 🦁 ).
The fact she didn’t hesitate to join the adventure made me feel so close to her. She’s been a shoulder to cry on, a reassuring voice in my ear and a source of much laughter.
I’m so happy to introduce Eszter Bognar, stylist, costume designer and fellow dog momma at Estimated Time of Arrival.
As usual, trip safely and enjoy the ride 🚀 ✨
*”we’re” is mine and Snoop Doodles
OK, First of all, do you have any tips for people visiting Hungary?
If you want to try traditional Hungarian food don't go to fancy restaurants go to the ones with red and white tablecloths.
Those have been there for 30 years, they won’t overcharge you and they probably have grandma in the back making the food.
Hell yeah, so introduce yourself and describe how we met.
I’m Eszter Bognar, a Hungarian costume designer, living in New York and in love.
I have a dog, a husband and the most amazing friends and family. I love food, I love coffee so I’m very lucky to live somewhere where I can find the best of both.
I strive to find joy in everything I do and perhaps that will have some effect on the world around me.
You and I met in Prospect Park while walking our dogs. George and I had been there for at least an hour and he wanted to leave but I was like, no, I want to talk to that girl! That was you.
What bugs you about the world around you but feel we're not allowed to talk about? Or we're not talking about enough?
Communication.
We don't communicate well, not only within our relationships or friendships but also with people in general.
People rather crash into each other because they’ve never been taught how to communicate softer or better.
When we were teenagers it just wasn't trendy for parents to communicate with us openly saying stuff like “Tell me how you feel, I’m not gonna judge you or ground you, I’m just gonna listen and be your mom or your dad, not blame you, this was a normal thing to do…”. This may have caused a lot of traumatised young adults in their 30s now.
How do you feel as a European artist in New York City?
A mix of “I can’t keep up” but also “look at all the doors just opening in front of me”.
There are endless opportunities but you can feel like a tiny, small, fly in the universe.
It's a giant city, it has as many people as my whole country (Hungary). So you can feel lost easily.
Favourite swearword?
Azt a hètszàzàt (which is a grandpa saying that translates to “that 700th of you”)
This is a research question for my upcoming short film “So Much Laundry So Little Soap” — “Polyamory”. What’s your experience with it? Thoughts on it? Or what have you observed in your circles?
What I observed around me and what my experience are like Heaven and Hell. So different.
I’ve had people in my life who were capable of being in an open relationship or a polyamorous one and it worked for them decades.
I just heard of an acquaintance of mine who's been in a relationship with the same guy for six years and they just opened it a year ago and it's blooming.
I also heard a lot of very bad stories. My experience with it was bad and ended badly. So for me, it's not working.
What’s your experience and thoughts on psychedelics?
I tried shrooms once. I wish I didn't because I might now have a better connection to psychedelics.
They were some shrooms a friend of a friend got from a forest. It was terrible. I went into the deepest, darkest place in my mind and I was there for 5 hours and I couldn't get out and I was pretty much just like being in bed and waiting for it to be done. S
I used to feel bad about my decision of not taking drugs because I’m an artist and I “should do these things”, cause that's “spiritual”… But I don’t anymore.
And I'm not against them at all, ‘cause I believe that it helps a lot of people.
Tell me something curious about yourself you don’t usually tell people or you haven’t thought about for a while.
Who’s gonna read this…?
Okay, I had sex with a woman and it was good. And I’m totally straight.
What’s the most useful advice you’ve ever been given?
Don't rush anywhere.
If you had a time machine and could go 10 years forward, what would you ask your future self?
How was giving birth? haha.
Describe the world today in 5 words or less.
Confusing, lovely, colourful, scary, beautiful
What’s the last film or series that moved you? And why? (It doesn’t have to be your favourite, just that made you feel something and what)
A French 30-minute short film. A beautiful way to say that life and love will always find a way no matter how hard it is or how long it takes. The more I watch that movie the more it teaches me just about everything.
Self-promo station! Go to town! — What are you working on right now? What do you have coming up Where can people check out your work?
I’ve been doing these t-shirts for a local brand “World Of My Own NYC” which was super fun. They're coming out later this month.
Also, I'm working for my friend right now, making some velcro patches.
Hopefully, there's going to be a movie soon! ;-)
What artist/s do you love and wish them even more success in their field?
Bokody Ákos, an incredible Hungarian painter.
And my friend Vivien Virág, a puppet designer. She taught me puppets are not just for children…
If you had one message to share with the world what would it be?
Just love each other. Don’t overthink it.
If you’re reading, talk to me so I know you’re alive.
Just hit reply on this email or leave a comment on substack, tell me what city or town are you reading us from?
Spread the love.
Paula x
