Creative ideas always need an actual space where they can become real and take physical form. ANNAMARIAANGELIKA’s studio is just such a place.
But what is it like? Is it an artsy space where chaos reigns? And how creative is the everyday life on a fashion designer, anyway? Julia is happy to give you answers to these and other questions. Have a read!
Hi Julia, why don’t you tell us about the AMA studio. Is there a special atmosphere that helps you to get creative? When you’re designing something, do you like it quiet or do you need to have a buzz in the room?
Julia: Yes, this actually is a special place. Considering where we are near the Moritzplatz in the heart of Berlin, having a studio with our own little garden is quite amazing. In spring and summer, nothing really beats the patio outside my huge sliding windows. Because of them, the space here is always bright and airy. And I find looking out onto the garden so soothing that focussing on work comes very easily to me. Frankly, I can do without a lot of hubbub. What I like is that here at the studio I am part of a community that shares the space. We all have our individual sections, but we also occasionally bump into one another in the communal kitchen or we sit down together for a chat and a cup of coffee. This is really nice and I find it very inspiring.
What kind of community is it? Are all of you designers?
Julia: There are three studios in total: We are designers, sustainable fashion activists and one publisher. The Fashion Changers are our direct neighbours. They are committed to a fair and diverse world of fashion. So ANNAMARIAANGELIKA is in excellent company. Our regular Aethic networking meetings and and pop-up stores regularly bring other sustainable design labels to our premises, which is also very inspiring.
Paint us a picture of your working days at the studio. Is it all about designing new cuts and making patterns? Should we expect to always run into you measuring tape around your neck and scissors in hand?
Julia: What I do varies quite a lot. Some days it all about creativity, for instance when I am developing the new showpieces. Then it is all about mood boards and patterns, choosing the right yarn, knitting sample material on the knitting machine – as well as, of course, wielding needle and thread. Every new collection brings new organisational challenges: We need to organise photo shoots, create look books, prepare for exhibitions and take of our online shop and website. Also, there are the various everyday things that call for our attention: Every order we receive, we carefully package and mail out from here at the studio. And then there are the e-mails that want answering and social media channels that have to be kept up to date. In other words, many activities where scissors would get in the way and needles might cause injury.
When would be a good time to drop by your studio? And is that even possible?
Julia: Sure, come on by! We are always happy to have visitors! Ideally by appointment. I’m often busy elsewhere or in a meeting here at the studio. So it would be a shame to show up here and have to leave again because I don’t have time. Otherwise, anyone is always welcome for our official events such as our pop-up stores or the like. We regularly post updates about these on Facebook and Instagram, so why not check us out there.
We select the finest materials, so you can enjoy them for years to come. We grant our skilled knitters in Peru good working conditions and the necessary time to produce fashion of exceptional quality. No rush, no chasing of short-lived trends. We love what we do. And we celebrate it all: the people, the places and the many inspiring moments that bring our colourful designs to life.
