“We think people like our collections because they are not too complex or sophisticated – the pieces are wearable for everyday life, yet are not ordinary.” reveals the designer duo Ida Steixner and Lena Krampf, the founders and creative heads behind the cool Austrian label Meshit. Since their first encounter at the fashion school Hetzendorf in Vienna, they have come a long way and this year they are part of the Austrian Fashion Showcase in Berlin and Paris. And their latest animal inspired lookbook in collaboration with Daliah Spiegel has just the kind of wildness that we love!

 

Hello Ida and Lena! Thanks for the time – how are you and what are you up to at the moment?

We just finished a huge project. We made a capsule collection together with photographer Daliah Spiegel. She took analog photos of animals, crystals, toys and plants – and all of us (Daliah and us two) worked on 3 patterns with those photos. With the patterns we made a small collection of all-over-printed pieces. Also we just had the photoshooting for our SS13 collection – so now maybe we will take some days off before starting with a new collection and new projects.

Describe each other with a few words.

Lena: Ida is really creative, I guess more than me. Maybe she´s a bit shy in the beginning and sometimes really pessimistic although she´s open-minded.
Ida: Lena is creative, self-confident, communicative, straight-forward and easy-going.

You are making quite a splash – What do you think is the reason for that?

Um, that´s a difficult question because mostly we don´t really notice that we make such a splash. We just work hard and we are happy if we see people wearing our clothes and appreciate our work. The business is developing in a good way – and we think people like our collections because they are not too complex or sophisticated – the pieces are wearable for everyday life, yet are not ordinary.

How do you see the Austrian fashion scene at the moment – there is a lot more happening now, right?

Yes that´s true – there is a lot happening here in Austria – and we think that´s also good for us. For example the “Austrian Fashion Showcase” where we take part in Paris & Berlin is a good thing and wouldn´t exist if there were not that many designers who want to achieve something with their work. Also there is a good “supporting-system” for creative people here in Austria.

How do you approach working on new collections – who does what?

On the collections we both work equally. At first we always choose a theme which is interesting and inspiring for both of us. Then we talk about it, about colours, fabrics and “keypieces” that should be part of the collection. After that we start to design seperately and then we meet again, talk about the designs and select the pieces. Sometimes we choose 2 sketches of both of us and merge them into one piece. Then follows the period where we make patterns and prototypes, meet again, change them, do new prototypes and so on- until we are satisfied with the result.

Your current lookbook is very cool – and you collaborated again with photographer Daliah Spiegel. Did you have a full concept for the shoot or did some idea emerge during it?

Thanks, she will be happy to hear that! Of course we had a concept, we always got in mind which type of models we want to have and what kind of mood we want to communicate, but certainly not everything is planned. A lot happens spontaneously during the shooting and Daliah always has some new ideas, which support our collections. That´s why we really like to work with her.

What or who inspires you?

Mostly we are inspired by different ethnic cultures, youth cultures and movements, by our friends and our surrounding, but also by movies or travel.

What do you believe makes a quality article of clothing?

Shape, material and a good design and it shouldn´t fall apart after the first cleaning!

Do you have any advice for young aspiring fashion- designers?

Um, we often have been asked about that but we don´t have any new answer now: don´t give up too quickly even if it´s hard sometimes. It´s hard work and takes time.

Where do you see yourself in a few years?

working together successfully for meshit and living only from the income of meshit. Having shops and shows all over the world – haha.

5 things you cannot live without?

Lena: friends, family, sports, fun, travelling
Ida: family, friends, art, dancing, Schnitzel

As a child when growing up you wanted to be…

Lena: dancer, singer, actress, vet……
Ida: detective, actress, singer…..

www.meshit.at

Meshit Capsule Kollektion photographed by Daliah Spiegel

 

Meshit autumn/winter 2012/13 collection photographed by Daliah Spiegel