I first went to Civilist in Berlin in summer 2011 after attending the bread and butter trade show. They were hosting a release party that night. Though i couldnt really recall which release party that was (during bread and butter you have like hundreds of release parties), i do however remember quite clear that the store left a very unique impression on me. When i was there the store felt more like an art gallery than just a regular shop and the people working there really know the stuff they are selling (thats not always the case huh?) Plus the store carries a lot of brands that i really love like Bleu de Paname, Norse and aNYthing.  So im very happy that they did a short interview with Curated Wares. Thank you Hesse!

(The questions are a bit different with the ones for designers)

1. Tell me why your store kicks ass:
Come by, decide for yourself.

2. How do you want people to feel after shopping at your store:
Entertained, educated and entschleunigt (theres not really an adequate translation for this word, but its similar to “zen-like” or enlightened)

3. Name 3 brands that people should watch out for in the next season and why:
Every single brand in our store that comes from Europe
Every single brand in our store that comes from more distant places
Civilist – the brand that comes from Berlin (yes they also have an in-house brand)

4. What is your current food addiction:
Domino Steine
Chicken Wings
Pasta Fagioli

5. Name 3 songs that you have on repeat at the moment:
Rodriguez – Inner City Blues
Mike Jones – Still Tippin’
A Mountain Of One – Ride

So whenever you are in berlin make sure you visit Civilist – Brunnenstrasse 13, 10119 Berlin

Here are some pics from the store

When i was looking for another brand to interview, i realized that i havent done an interview with any spanish brand. But thanks to social media i soon found the right spanish brand. Migue a.k.a @xmiwex told me about this fabelhafte brand “About Arianne” over twitter (thank you) and im glad he did. Because there is something interesting about the feel of this brand. The second you look at their shoes you will be invited in their beautiful inner city fairy tale. I feel no distance between the brand and the audience. This is interesting for me and thats why im glad they did an interview with Curated Wares. Like most of the brands that i interviewed, “About Arianne” manufactures their products locally and pays a lot of attention to high craftsmanship. The shoes were made in a smal factory in Alicante. So here is the interview:

1. Describe your brand with three words:

Artisan, timeless and first quality

2. Tell us why your brand kicks ass:

About Arianne offers trendy shoes, where design, comfort and quality are equal elements.
The editions are limited, so anyone with an About Arianne product is “unique.”

3. Name one accessory you cant live without and why:

Recently the phone laptop, with a brand need constant communication.

4. Fill in the blanks: When i was a kid ….. and now ….:

When i was a kid I loved to wear fancy dress shoes, I remember a clown and others of Seville. Now I only wear About Arianne shoes.

5. What would be your last meal:

Dine with friends in the  Federal terrace in Barcelona.
Any type of vegetarian food and good wine.

Thank you Arianne for doing the interview and i wish About Arianne all the success for the future.

You can check out their latest video here and dont miss to see my favorite pieces. More pics

This next brand really shows us how high the quality and the craftsmanship streetwear clothing could offer nowadays. I love how House of Billiam takes classic British fabrics and apply them to iconic streetwear shapes and they are doing it in a very good way. And if thats not cool enough, most of their pieces are available as a bespoke piece!! I mean that is even until today very rare, specially in streetwear. So im very happy i could do an interview with both of the founder: Tom and Rav. Here it is: Tom is T) and Rav is R)

1. Describe your brand with three words:

T) proper hard work
R) british staple streetwear

2. Tell us why your brand kicks ass:

T) Our brand kicks posterior because no matter who you are, we can make a jacket for you that reflects both our approach to clothing and your personal aesthetic…or you can buy one off the rail.
R) it kicks ass cause we offer a bespoke service within streetwear, which means we can make pretty much whatever you want. We also have a collection coming in aw12/13

3. Name one accessory you cant live without and why:

T) laptop, it is on pretty much 24/7 and without it I would have no entertainment or communication with the outside world
R) phone laptop. obvious reasons.

4. Fill in the blanks: When i was a kid ….. and now ….:

T) When I was a kid I always wanted stuff all the other kids had in the playground and now I wear the same clothes everyday and buy nothing
R) when i was a kid i always wanted the clothes the ‘cool’ kids had and now i design the clothes the ‘cool’ kids want

5. What would be your last meal:

T) Probably a lot of wine, I have a nice Penfolds Grange from the year I was born that would do quite nicely if I die in the next few years…as for the food as long as it was a good match for the wine I don’t think I would be too bothered, French or Italian and lots of courses…
R) dine with friends and family at via vaneto in barcelona

Thank You so much Tom and Rav for doing the interview and of course i wish House of Billiam all the success!

Here are some of my favorite pieces from House of Billiam. More Pics

Dont forget to check out their collaborations with Soulland.

This next interview with Kleting, the founder of the brand KLÉ, is a very special one for me because i get to show you a very good and talented friend of mine. I knew her since way back when she was still studying fashion in Milan. We used to talk about her having an own brand one day. And seeing how successful her brand is right now, is just so overwhelming. KLÉ has only been established since a couple of years ago but the brand has already won various awards and is being sold internationally in selected shops. But thats not what makes the brand stand out. What amazing is that Kleting has given her brand a very distinguished look in such a short time and shes doing it with utterly simple silhouette mixed with complicated cut. So i wont keep you waiting, here is her interview:

1. Describe your brand with three words:
Fresh! Free spirited! Bold!

2. Tell us why your brand kicks ass:
Its how i kick with the headspin to the sky!

3. Name one accessory you cant live without and why:
A huge bag to put everything in it

4. Fill in the blanks: When i was a kid ….. and now ….:
When i was a kid i do whatever i like and now i do more of those whatevers and I LOVE IT!!!!!!

5. What would be your last meal:
……. (left blank)

Thank you Kleting for the interview and i wish all the good things for KLÉ´s future.

Here are some of my favorite looks from her new collection. More pics

If you like this brand, show some love and give some “likes” on KLÉ  facebook page

I first got to know the brand Bleu de Paname when i was shopping in Colette. And since Colette always has unique brands, i just had to find out more about Bleu de Paname. After that, there is no coming back. I fell in love with the brand ever since. They make workwear look so cool without losing its quality. All of their products are developed and manufactured in France. Although they have only been around since 2008, they have accomplished so much and are already being sold in top stores around the world like: Colette, Dover Street Market, Trés Bien, Norse and many more. So here is the interview with Thomas Giorgetti – the one half of Bleu de Paname:

1. Describe your brand with three words:
Workwear, casual, made in France

2. Tell us why your brand kicks ass:
Its made by passion and human energy! Timeless pieces !

3. Name one accessory you cant live without and why:
My iPod touch, play it loud ! Most important thing to “play” my day from
home to work…

4. Fill in the blanks: When i was a kid ….. and now ….:
When i was a kid i do graffiti, collecting sneakers and vintage goods, and
now i co-create a brand  with my best friend Christophe Lepine, we know each
other since the early 80’s! Nice story!

5. What would be your last meal:
A cheese plate with fresh bread and a glass of wine…and may be an espresso
at last!

Thank you Thomas for doing the interview and i wish all the success for Bleu de Paname!

If you havent checked out their latest lookbook for FW 2011 “Excursionnisme” then you are missing alot. Here are some of my favorite pieces: More pics

Well what can i say, its because of brands like Corter that started my obsession with highly crafted leather goods. So when he decided to do the interview you would know how happy it made me. Corter Leather is a one man operation! (very cool, i know). Everything is 100% hand made by the maker Eric Heins. Holes are punched and sewn by hand. He uses no templates so no two pieces are completely alike. So i wont keep you waiting any longer. Check out his interview:

1. Describe your brand with three words: Handmade leather goods

2. Tell us why your brand kicks ass: The old wallets were so thick they’d actually kick ass- leaving holes in jean pockets and black and blue butt cheeks. These days, I’d like to think Corter kicks ass because it stays true to what I’ve always wanted it to do- affordable, high quality, accessible leather goods. I’ve also been able to do a bit of charity with the brand, raising and sending $32,000 to the Red Cross for relief in our beloved Japan in less than 4 weeks time with the sale of a special bracelet. I’m pretty proud of that.

3. Name one accessory you cant live without and why: Even though I don’t use it anymore, the first wallet I ever made is very special to me. Since I’m self taught its a nice reminder of how far my skill has progressed.

4. Fill in the blanks: When i was a kid ….. and now ….
When I was a kid I was putting digital surround sound in my mom’s car just so I could learn how it works, building guitars, riding bikes, and making finger skateboard ramps and parks. Now I make a living with my hands- things aren’t much different.

5. What would be your last meal: Easy decision- steak burrito from Qudoba and/or my grandma’s chicken parm. Chocolate cake from Charlies on Newbury St. for desert.

Thank you Eric for the interview.

If you are also into highly crafted leather goods be sure to check Corter Leather out here

You still remember when ecological clothing didnt have a fresh design? Well those days are over because WEMADE is here. Their production is ecologically certified, they use fairtrade products but they still look fresh as hell so im lovin WEMADE. My favorite is the iPad sleeve, i mean c´mon whats not to love about it. And now im very pleased to tell you that they did an interview with curated wares. So here it is:

1. Describe your brand with three words: we, fair, life
2. Tell us why your brand kicks ass: Because we feel the rain. Others just get wet.
3. Name one accessories u just cant live without and why: Our handmade Tube Scarf because of the wind in berlin.
4. Fill in the blanks: When i was a kid ….. and now …..
…When I was a kid…

…and now I´m happy doing what I do.
5. What would be your last meal: My last meal would be an original italian pizza mozzarella.

Thank you Alicia for doing the interview, and i wish WEMADE all the best and success in the future

This issue of “5 Questions for a Designer or a Brand Owner” will be with Michael Rowland, the mastermind behind London´s upcoming brand Tasty Cream Clothing. He´s the owner – designer – web designer – photographer of this unique brand. Every piece of the clothing is designed and handmade in London. So i wont keep you waiting any longer. Here it goes!

Note: I did not edit anything on this interview. What you are going to read is exactly how i got it.

1. Describe your brand with three words: London’s Latest Trend
2. Tell us why your brand kicks ass : As we source the best materials from Malaysia to New York, all garments are handmade with a lot of love and care. Designed in London with years of experience working in a company producing specialized items for Lady Gaga amongst others, with designs to make outfits easily creatable with a stunning outcome.
3. Name one accessory you cant live without and why: – My Skullcandy headphones, so I can listen to Hollywood Undead, Parkway Drive or Ke$ha (not embarrassing) on the go.
4. Fill in the blanks: When i was a kid ..” I thought eating grass would make me fly”… and now ….”I’m not much older”
5. What would be your last meal: … That’s a real tricky one… It’s gonna have to be a meal I had earlier this year in Beverley Hills on my birthday, wagyu steak cooked to absolute perfection with well marinated broccoli, and a shot of vodka on the side with an amazing friend.

Thank you Michael for the interview  and i wish all the success for your brand!