INTERVIEW | MAYN'S MAJA PODRUG

Amsterdam Fashion Week is coming up, which reminds me of the shows I have seen at the past Summers's edition. I had a little get together with MAYN's Maja Podrug to ask her about her young menswear label!

You have graduated in Art History. How does your education influence your designs?

My educational background provided me with an ongoing motivation to re-think, as Art history is essentially a study of true innovators that provoked what was conventional in order to establish new point of views. Additionally, I often draw references from Art History or I look for ways to apply sculptural or architectural formative principles in construction of the garment.

To you, what is the relation between art and fashion?

To me, art can be a good reference or a starting point in my design research. I also believe that fashion can be an artistic instrument, just like any other expressive medium.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I would use 'finding reference' instead of 'getting inspiration' as I deliberately choose themes to explore and cross-reference based on their potential to offer me new problems to solve. I often choose them from the world of art, architecture, education or whatever I am familiar with.

What feels closest to the word 'inspiration' would be a sudden problem-solving idea that usually comes after I have already started my thinking or drawing process.

What made you decide to design solely for men?

I don’t perceive clothing or style as strictly gender defined. I would apply the same approach and aesthetic if I was doing womenswear. Menswear was more interesting for me to start with, as it was becoming more open and exciting while it still felt less saturated. But my next collection will also include unisex and womenswear pieces.

Your designs are quite architectural and dark (black, grey, blue tones). What is the thought behind these choices? Reflecting a certain mood?

I will get to colour sooner or later (probably) but right now I am most interested in exploring tailoring and functionality so, not to distract my focus, I keep colours and prints minimal. It is also personal aesthetic choice as I feel best in black.

What is your favorite piece to design? I see you design a lot of jackets.

Yes, I love to do jackets because silhouette and construction-wise they offer a lot of options and space to explore.

I am also very entertained by exploring the idea of undetermined garment that has multiple identities decided only in interaction with the wearer.

Any cool plans coming up? And what are you dreams for the future?

As mentioned, I plan to expand the line into womenswear. Referencing Sou Fujimoto's concept of architecture, my next project tackles the idea of "improvised garment" described above. Don't know about the dream... Going with the flow .... upstream, of course.

Website: mayn.co

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