WHO: MALAIKARAISS / Malaika Raiss
WHAT: Creative Director/ CEO
CEO BACKGROUND: Growing up in the south of Germany, spending my childhood travelling the world with my family. Moved to Berlin after a degree in fashion design, started my own brand in 2010, but I´m also a lecturer for textile technology at ESMOD university and working in casting and art buying for other brands and magazines.
LOCATED: Berlin
WEB: www.malaikaraiss.com
INSTAGRAM: malaikaraiss
She won a design prize at the age of 16, now Malaika Raiss is on designer to watch during this weeks Berlin Fashion Week. Envelope met the designer before her show.
Envelope by Celine Aagaard
What inspired you to create your own brand Malaikaraiss?
I had so many ideas I wanted to put in a collection, designing for other brands simply wasn´t enough. I love to create new things, being a designer isn´t just a job, it´s just what i was meant to be.
Tell us shortly the "Story" behind the brand
I wanted to build a brand that´s feminine with fun twist. Not only ready-to-wear but accessories and jewelry aswell
How did you get in the fashion industry?
When I was 16, I won the first price in a competition in German fashion magazine, I had to design a „little black dress“. That was basically the start of everything else.
What piece was the first you made?
A white jersey frilled A-Line Skirt - Tell us the key words a head your ss2017 show in Berlin next week Beaches. A secret hideaway in the carribean where you can find the rockstar bohéme, girls like Zoe Kravitz. A relaxed but very luxurious look.
In what way does art inspires you?
I consider contemporay art my creative brainfood . It just keeps me going.
In what way has your background inspired you?
It´s the base for all my creativty. All the influences from our travels are playing in major role in my designs.
Tell us shortly about your job at Esmod?
I´m teaching textile technology – for almost five years now. Fabric developments, prints, knitwear and price targets. I try to keep the class very close to a designer´s real life.
In what way does Berlin inspires you?
It´s a creative melting pot and the city keeps on changing it´s face everyday, reinventing itself constantly. That´s amazing.
What else inspires your design?
Self-confident and powerful
How does yourdesign reflect your personal style?
My personal style is casual with a fun feminine twist. And I love stripes
Is there anyone in particular you would like to see wearing your design?
Natalie Portman, Diane Krüger, Zoe Kravitz
What is style to you?
Self confidence and less is more.
What trends do you believe in for AW16?
Pants underneath dresses
3 keypieces for fall?
A coat with a fur collar. Satin slip dress. Accessories in cyan blue Tips
Where do you get your coffe in Berlin? "The barn" coffee roasters.
Where do you eat in Berlin?
Schnitzel at Borchardt (the best in town)
Where would you recommend people to visit i?
The "Boros Bunker“ a private contemporary art exhibition in a former world war 2 bunker. It´s impressive.
Where can we buy the Malaikaraiss? At the famous „KaDeWe“ department store, at „VOO" in Kreuzberg or online.
Comments