Hendrike Roers - Kosae

"I could not even afford a car, so I had to transport my little booth in trains."

small-shops: What were your motives for creating your own brand?

Hendrike Roers: After studying design, I was fulfilled by the things I have done in University and convinced that my patterns, objects, products and art would find their place in the free market. I wanted to do more research and develop my discoveries.

Moreover, I couldn’t imagine that my specific know-how could be of help for some company and I wasn’t even sure if I ...

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Marisa Fuentes Prado - MAQU

"In both places, we were all like a family, there was a lot of respect as well as creativity."

small-shops: After studying fashion design in your home country Peru. You decided to move to Copenhagen. There, you did Internships at Henrik Vibskov and at Freya Dalsjø. What are some of the major values you learned during those experiences?

Marisa Fuentes Prado: In both places, we were all like a family, there was a lot of respect as well as creativity. I think it was one of the places where I learned to exploit my creativity without fear, the team gave me that confidence, positivity and freedom. They were not the typical fashion studios. The working hours were ...

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Ashley Jones - KAYA

"I hope in the future people will buy less, but higher quality products, knowing that they will last a lot longer and they are made with love instead of greed."

small-shops: Originally you studied architecture. Why did you decide to change profession?

Ashley Jones: After I finished my Bachelor’s degree in 2010, I decided to travel Australia and Asia for over a year. There I got to know the person with whom I now also have a daughter and this whole experience changed my entire view of the world.

small-shops: During this trip you had the idea of ...

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Jyoti Team - JYOTI - FAIR WORKS

"More and more customers demand transparency and choose quality over quantity."

small-shops: When thinking about it, your way of producing fashion might seem obvious. But it is far from being the standard for the whole industry, so you seem almost like a visionary. How did you get the idea of revolutionizing fashion in this fair and sustainable way?

Jyoti Team: After graduating from high school, Jeanine, founder of Jyoti – Fair Works, took part in volunteer work at the women-led NGO Jyothi Seva Kendra in the Indian town Chittapur. Her experience and the women she met made a lasting ...

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Katrin Jacobi - DIT IS BALIN

"There is nothing off the shelf here, you support an attitude to life and rebel against the usual mass production."

small-shops: You represent Berlin culture by marketing in the cities slang and printing its name on your products. What is the capital of Germany, apart from the above, stand for in your opinion?

Katrin Jacobi: For me Berlin is loud and casual – but not ignorant. It's the home for individuals who normally don't fit in, those, with a wish for change, who make new ideas possible. Since 2015 DIT IS BALIN represents this city's feeling. It stands for individual prints on sustainable organic clothing, for quality and for respect for nature and thus, also for us humans. There is nothing off the shelf here, you support an attitude to life and rebel against the usual mass production.

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Aurelia Paumelle

"I find that knowing how to create and make something with your own hands is very rewarding and useful for personal confidence and imaginary development."

small-shops: Before coming to Berlin, you had the privilege to work with well-known designers such as Vanessa Bruno, Sonia, Rykiel, Balenciaga, John Galliano and Yves St Laurent. Can you share some important values you learned during that period?

Aurelia Paumelle: This period is a key period in my career, because I learned everything, I had the chance to work during the collection period in different fashion houses where I learned techniques and styles that each house practices. I also worked for Christian Lacroix's costumes at the Opera Garnier but also worked in a fast fashion company in Le Sentier, those who know P

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Marielle Morawitz - MOMOKO

"Japanese aesthetics still inspire me and partly shape my work."

small-shops: How did you get the idea to start a jewellery brand?

Marielle Morawitz: I studied art and my focus was on images: drawings, photographs - everything for the wall. At some point I was attracted to the 3rd dimension. I wanted something to touch, something that accompanies us in everyday life. My drawings were in my inner eye on dishes, clothes and jewellery. I learned different techniques. My first series was made with drawings on pendants, earrings and bracelets. And then I had tasted blood. I was no longer interested in finding a medium for my drawings. I wanted to make jewellery.

small-shops: The name Momoko is Japanese (meaning Peach child). Can you tell us what kind of relationship you have to Japan?

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Julia Groß-Müller - YITSY BITSY

"I don't mean that women have to feel beautiful every day, but that they simply deal with their bodies in a more relaxed manner and without pressure."

small-shops: Hi Julia! You founded a new eco-sustainable fashion brand in 2019, which produces swimsuits designed for all women’s body types. Why did you name your label after the 60’s song “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini”?

Julia Groß-Müller: The song is about a young woman who doesn't dare to leave the changing room with her new bikini. 60 years later we still have a similar problem. Women don't feel free enough to wear what they want. You may not go swimming or enjoy life to the fullest because you feel unwell and insecure. I want to change that with YITSY BITSY and empower women to wear swimwear whenever they want...

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Beate Baethke - BORGANB

"The key moment was when I watched David Attenborough’s 'Blue Planet II' and realized how bad the plastic pollution in our oceans is"

small-shops: Hi, Beate! You have a Master Degree in Business & Economics and worked first for a solar power -, then for an investing and financing business. Even though both careers have had strong connections to environmental protection, none of them have anything to do with fashion. When and why did you decide to change industry?

Beate Baethke: Hi small-shops and thanks for inviting us. The key moment was when I watched David Attenborough’s “Blue Planet II” and realized how bad the plastic pollution in our oceans is and what it does not just for the marine creatures but for the whole earth. I was already in the process in finding a new career after my son finished school life. I am quite an aesthetical person and always liked well made and great looking fashion items, so I tried to combine the desire to express my creativity and my wish to demonstrate ...

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Yeimy Muñoz - TULY

"I look for equality, empowering woman and giving them new opportunities."

small-shops: Hi Yeimy, we got to know each other at the biggest central American convention for handmade crafts (New World Crafts) in Antigua, Guatemala. How where you able to get such a prime location for your stand, in the centre of the convention, considering that your brand is only two years old?

Yeimy Muñoz: Hi Valeria & Alberto, I´m so happy for this opportunity and to talk to you again. For me it was a dream since I started, to be part of the Convention for Handmade Crafts (New World Crafts) in Antigua Guatemala. We were able to get a stand because of the hard work, effort, and motivation that we have put in this amazing project. Something that helps us to get were we are now, is our open mind and always look for continuous improvement, ...

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Paulina Tsvetanova - PAULINA’S FRIENDS

"The most important thing is that I remembered my childhood dream 25 years ago and just started living it, without any compromises and excuses, out of nowhere, comme même (despite of everything)"

small-shops: Hi, Paulina! You lived in Bulgaria until you were 18 years old. Why did you choose Germany as your new home and place to study art history, philosophy, byzantine art/ Christian archaeology and later cultural management?

Paulina Tsvetanova: I was visiting a German school in Bulgaria and learned German at the age of 13. I moved to Freiburg i. Br. in order to study and find a job in the art/culture management world. After some years of experience in this field (art foundations, art events, galleries, publishing house etc), I founded PAULINA'S FRIENDS as a creative agency for contemporary art, design and vintage fashion. Currently I'm a PhD candidate

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Marco Scaiano - MARCO SCAIANO

"My brain is working 24/7, and very often an idea for a special cut or design just pops up in my mind."

small-shops: Hi, Marco! You opened your shop in 2017. What motivated you to start your own brand 6 years ago?

Marco Scaiano: Actually I started my brand in 2017 without having a shop. I lived in a one-room apartment in Berlin, which was my home studio, showroom, and place for small events at the same time. It helped a lot because I started my brand with a budget of 600 euros. With time, my business was growing and I had the chance to move into a three -room apartment. There I did the same thing with work and living space.

In January 2022 I finally moved into my own studio/shop/showroom. You can visit the shop by appointment...

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Francisco Remesal Gonzalez - REMESALT

"Fair means that I try to be fair in all matters, not only on eco matters but also in social matters, in political matters."

small-shops: Hi Francisco, when did you first open your shop and how was it like to become an entrepreneur?

Francisco Remesal Gonzalez: I actually became an entrepreneur in 2016, much before of opening my shop. I am over all a maker. I started home,then had few ateliers in Mitte and Kreuzberg, and in 2021 I had the opportunity to start in a shared atelier/shop in Mitte with my great partner Melinda from Stokx. There, I produce and sell my own creations.

small-shops: Why did you choose Berlin as the place to found a business?

Francisco Remesal Gonzalez: I have been a traveller and an expat my whole live, but to start my own project I went back to my ...

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Kotte Diaz - POLARIS

"Our idea is to create helpful and durable products that contain a love message about nature, humanity, and the environment."

small-shops: Hello Kotte! Your brand Polaris Hats & Bags has been founded in Santiago, Chile in 2016. What brings you here to Berlin?

Kotte Diaz: Hi, thank you so much for the interview and your interest in Polaris. To be honest, what brought me to Berlin and has led me to know the world is skateboarding. Back in 2016, I owned a skateboards brand named “VL viejas locas” (crazy old ladies), with my good friend Nicol Bob Poblete, a little after this chapter in our lives was over my friend Paulo Borquez that was living in Berlin at that time told me: Why don’t you come here? the skateboard scene and handmade stuff is on fire... And without further ado I assembled my backpack and here I am...

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Julie Bourgeois - TATA CHRISTIANA

"Take more quiet time for yourself and your loved ones."

small-shops: Can you tell us a little bit about your background? How did you get into fashion and what was your thought process when starting your own brand?

Julie Bourgeois: In parallel to my studies of Literature and Philosophy in Marseille and Paris, I trained as a self-taught clothing designer. I did several internships in costume workshops in Paris and in particular with a Parisian designer. My first steps as a designer were made thanks to crochet work. I developed small lines of crochet accessories that I was able to sell in Japan for three seasons. But I really created the label Tata Christiane when I arrived in Berlin. I started with unique pieces. Then a store in Tokyo discovered me and allowed me to start producing custom collections as well, becoming my main distributor. I've been running my label Tata Christiane for over 10 years now, always learning something new...

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Christine Metz - Afora.World

"Not only the quality of fibers/materials of a product play a big role. Also, the processing technique is totally important."

small-shops: Hi, Tine! You are a young designer with a 13 years professional career in the fashion industry. How did you feel when you started your own label Afora.World short time ago?

Christine Metz: I always wanted to start my own label. That's why it feels fantastic. Totally exciting and thrilling. But of course also with a lot of respect.

small-shops: Afora means “all for all”: Your brand cares for your customers as well as the environment and animals. This is a great philosophy. How do you put this idea into realisation?

Christine Metz: By questioning every step I take with AFORA.WORLD. Starting from the development of the products (ra ...

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Cintia & Simon - BECICLE

"We are self-taught, and we have found something that makes us happy while doing."

small-shops: You were born in two different countries, Germany and Argentina. Berlin is bringing many nationalities together. What is your story of how you met?

Cintia & Simon: We met in Argentina, while Simon was living there and I was finishing my study in the University. A friend in common introduced us. After a while we start to date and 3 years later we got married and moved to Berlin.

small-shops: You are upcycling used rubber into high-quality bags. How did you get the idea of starting a company, that is helping humanity to produce less waste?

Cintia & Simon: When we moved to Berlin Simon was working as a driver and I was doing a cleaning job while learning German...

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Fanny & Idan - UY STUDIO

"Everybody is beautiful in their own way and we want to make them feel like this."

small-shops: Idan, you are from Tel Aviv and Fanny, you are from Stockholm. How did you two meet?

Fanny & Idan: We met years ago in a fashion school in Barcelona, There was chemistry from the beginning, which is why we just stepped into it and developed a clothing line for ourselves - that was how it all started..

small-shops: Can you share some exciting stories of the UY Studios founding period?

Fanny & Idan: Three years ago during ...

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