The Romanov dynasty was a fairy-tale in the making. Catellians, balls an illustrious palace; but was marked by greed, power and control; like most patriarchs they do fall. However, the name Anastacia means to { rise again, or resurrect}; which prompts me to my Russian ballerina trying to return to her Fashion court.

Its a warm Monday afternoon, I awaited for Lili to finally meet me so that we can finally have the chat that we have been hungering for. This has been an ardurous journey trying to catch up with the Vivienne Westwood re-incarnated she deems. Simply put Lili is a great person that not only looks at fashion through the eyes of others, but through her past that she has come from.

Her fire, wiity psyche and sheer bravdo for life; has made me ponder why I even live. Then I remember; because I want to. If life were wrapped in one word; I would have to say it is Lili, those passionate eyes and utter burst of vitality makes you see why she was the staple on the Russian scene. This is only one of I many interviews of Lili Pebbs; my Russian ballerina and modern day fashionino Anastacia.

Jonathan: You ready to start?

Lili said: yes

Jonathan: What is your full name?

Lili said: Mijovic Ljiljana. Lili Pebbles in Russia I was Lili Pebbles. Pebbles was label for my clothes...crazy line

Jonathan: hold hold on [laughs] That gets into my next quesetion- why fashion?

Lili says: i was born with that

Jonathan: right

Lili says: With the age of 7-8 i was sawing clothes for my barby dolls, but with shnits and through all my school day i was pushed to do it... by my teachers...my art teachers...

Jonathan:
So would you say you had a burning desire?

Lili says:
i just enjoy it... never think about it too serious... there are so many things that i prefered at different time of my life. At age 6-16 i was dancing balet. I use to spend 6 and more hours daily doing it.

Jonathan: sooooooooooooooooo do you prefer ballet over fashion or they both eqaully run in you?

Lili says: then at age 15 i realized that i do not want to spend my life 10-15 hours a day dancing ballet and i converted it for modern dance

Jonathan [ looks with confusion ] can i marry you?

Lili says:
i might adopt you... better

Jonathan and Lili- [ laughin for two minutes ]

Jonathan cont’d- you know i use to dance. I like that ADOPT a J.R.-

Lili says: my school teacher were pushing me to art academy... and it made me feel pushed... and i do not like to be pushed somewhere, so at age 18 i start my acting classes still did not thing that fashion will be my only profession; I was designing and making clothes from age of 14

Jonathan- interesting

Lili says:but i did not take it serious, it was jus normal part of my life. i was interested to try new things. I even spent 6,5 years in casino bussines

Jonathan: So in essence would you be a jack of all trades and fashion is your mastery?

Lili says: Well lets say everyone except me knew that i am in fashion

Laughter erupts

Jonathan: Sounds familiar, who are your favorite designers?

Lili says: At one point of my life i realized that i am waisting my time... so i
started doing fashion for serious

Jonathan [ starts eating chips]

Lili says:
Galliano, I think with two ll’s, Westwood

Jonathan gives Lily a HIGH FIVE!

Lili Cont’d: Gaultier

Jonathan: You’re not a Mcqueen girl?

Lili says: When i was in london, they use to call me russian Vivien Westwood.
[apalled] Yes, of course!!! I love that guy!

Jonathan [ shrugs ] Sorry.

Lili says: I love Lagerfild, too

Jonathan: WHO DOESN'T ITS CHANEL!, Who trained under balencienaga [ check spelling]: Its COCO CHANEL

Lili says: yes, yes

Jonathan: Anyway- so how you would describe your fashion?

Lili says: old school, well... it changes with time... different lines - different styles. When i started i was under influence of Goutier

Jonathan: Who?

Lili says: So i was all in craziness and inovations

Jonathan [ lost in the two conversations that have evolved.] Sounds famil but not so much [ bites down on chip ]

Lili says: Gaultier. jean paul

Jonathan: STOP! got it

Lili says: But girls were crazy about my evening dresses, not about crazy stuff... crazy stuff was for young public so, all comes back to elegance... like shoes that you like

Jonathan: oh i sooo want a pair of those

Jonathan says: your saying fashion needs to go back to elegance then?

Lili says: So i can say it is fashion for beautiful, young and young feeling, successful girls and lady

Jonathan: [ sits up ] ummmm i disagree but carry on

Lili says: [ cuts eyes] I am talking about things that i am preparing

Jonathan: Oh ok

Lili says: i do something different than before. I use leather and silk, mostly. But before i was doing things for people who wants to be seen, who want to take attention, my style was different from every other designer... you could allways, notice edges, that was a specific trade mark an I’am keeping it.

Jonathan [ knods in agreement ] I’m not stopping you.

Lill Cont’d: i use to dress partly russian scene

Jonathan: Well you have to. How do you keep from getting bored with fashion?

Lili says: I just took a big break in my carreer, but i am never bored with fashion, things happened what kept me away.

[ long pause ]

Lili says: My mom was seriously ill, and i didn't want to do anything what keeps me away from her she had cancer, i knew that we do not have lot of time... so i spent all time with her...till she passed away. It is 2 years now... today...

Jonathan:oh wow, talk about irony

Lili says: i feel as she is with me now [ guarded ] Irony?

Jonathan: Ya know its true; if you can survie the hard things in life; you can make it anywhere well, my mom had breast cancer

Lili says: Is she alive?

Jonathan: Yeah, but sometimes i wonder what i would be like if i lost her. stronger, saner, more driven.

Lili says:
no...it took long time for me to recover, it hurts more than anything else

Jonathan: Don’t take this wrong, I would probably go insane; i'm just saying adversity always brings out the strength in people; in general,

Lilli: yes... it is true

JonathanL But i agree, losing parents UGH [ grabs stomach and sips rootbeer ]

Lili says: All life is irony.. as this what we are talking about

Jonathan: Well its true, without irony, no logic

Lili: You lose someone you love... you get stronger

Jonathan: right, [ ponders ] ok onto happier trails

Lili says: yop

Jonathan: What do you forsee with your career? Do you mind if i change clothes?

Lili says:
i think you know! I can't see you [ pretends to peek ]

Laughter erupts.

Jonathan: Awwww your precious, but i know;l but what do you want the world to know about your career?

Lilii: If I peek, I will otherwise, telll you if i like what you wear...

Laughter erupts.

Lili:But I do not understand word "forsee"

Jonathan: Wellll what do you want your career to look like when you turn around and see it fifty years from now...OH GOD, I'll be 73 lol!

Laughter erupts

Lili says: i would love that my name become well known, and my clothes to be one of first popular labels on the world, east and west, that every star wears it on Oscar ceremony, and every teenager dreams about.... hehe, and i will do special line for teens

Jonathan: You wanna be oscar big

Lili says: [emphatectically ] Yeeees!!

Jonathan: Who doesn't? Well when I get my best acting nomination ill wear your suit, dress and shoes; well my date can wear your dress and shoes, [ chuckles ]

Jonathan: What were your mistakes?

Lili says: many

Jonathan: Care to elaborate

Lili says: i was spending all money i ever made... i use to do drugs for 7 years (or even more)...

Jonathan: thats common lovey

Lili says:
i was never too serious with my career, with my work. I was running through life having fun... it was allways first for me

Jonathan: [ tilts head and puts feet up ]

Lili says: Then i was doing my fashion when i had time off, if I was serious, i could be much further in life right now

Jonathan: when is your next collection due out?

Lili says: End of september, beggining of october

Jonathan: Maybe so, maybe not, its all relative to what you consider succcess, no?

Lili: You are right... it is relative, becoming celebrity ... making fashion empire

Jonathan: [smiles] Ah yes, i wanna take over the world syndrome

Lili: Success, being recognizable and huge amount of money made doing what you love

Jonathan: But material is it all that there is?

Lili says: Not only material, material is passing, passing away... if you are huge artist, you are living after your time

Jonathan: Ok, just checking the reality meter here

Lili: Like Van Gogh. At reality moment it means living a wonderful life in present moment... but living after you passed away means real success; when future generations learning about you and respect you... it is art

Jonathan: Amen

Lili: And i was recognized as talented artist during my stay in Russia, and I’am so proud about it. Remember, after you passed away living on is real success.

Jonathan: I have to close up,

Lili: Ok, how’s Benetton,

Jonathan: this is about you. We will talk later.

Lili: Ok,

Jonathan: Auf Wiendesen

Lili: Russian

Jonathan: [ smiles ] Right. Dosvedanya

Lili: Right.

My sit down with the Fashion Ballerina, pushed me to different parts of my head, I was not expecting to go, but her line is coming soon, will keep you posted when details do arise. The true thing about Lili Pebbles is that her passion for the arts and her renewed focus, I know will propel her forward to a great new place. Keep your eyes out; because this fashion ballerina has one more curtain call.

By Jonathan Reed