"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 home town San Fernando, south Spain. But something was missing and after 2 years I moved to Berlin. I have a long history with Germany, a country that I respect and love at the same time, so the decision to move to the most exiting city in Germany was somehow natural. I needed my eyes to fill out with inspirations. And Berlin is a city full with inspirations.

small-shops: Most of your fashion is very colourful and creative. Where do you get your inspiration from?

Francisco Remesal Gonzalez: Been a southern from vibrant Andalusia the relationship with color is natural, I grow up with that in every single fest and fairs. I get very much inspired by Andalusia, Asia, 80’ and Renaissance but everything with the enough amount of contemporary touch.

small-shops: Your fashion knows no genders. Why did you decide to only produce and sell unisex products?

Francisco Remesal Gonzalez: I was not a conscious decision,since I started I was focusing in woman but at the same time I was only wearing my own designs that “were made for woman”. Slowly I start getting oder genders that wanted to buy from my designs that “were made for woman”. So at some point I realise that what I designed can be worn by everybody, you just need to own it. I believe gender orientated fashion is getting over.

small-shops: How do you make sure that your fashion is always eco-friendly?

Francisco Remesal Gonzalez: This is harder that people think, it is a everlasting fight. For me the first and most important point is to produce small quantities in-house or at a small atelier in the surroundings. This helps to reduce foot print.

By using eco certificated fabrics. But not only, I do not limited my creations. By offering alterations to my own garments even after a year of purchasing. I have clients that get something from me and in the time of 2 years I did one or 2 alterations to adapt the piece to a new reality. All my waste goes for the art project of a good friend, Muriel Gallardo Weinstein.

small-shops: On your website you state that you create fair fashion. What does the term "fair fashion" mean to you?

Francisco Remesal Gonzalez: For me fair fashion is a concept that goes beyond eco-fashion, sustainable-fashion or slow-fashion. Fair means that I try to be fair in all matters, not only on eco matters, also in social matters, in political matters. In the relationship with my clients. It is a state of mind.

small-shops: In which direction would you like to further develop your shop?

Francisco Remesal Gonzalez: I would love to be able to create a micro-factory in my space (or a huge atelier I know factory sounds kind of horrible), a space where you can buy form the rack, but also to choose a fabric and a style that are not on the rack and order it. I must say, my shop already works in this way, but I am a one persone show, so more a small atelier than a micro-factory.I believe that made by order is one of the solution for overproducing as well as local production. Plus the dialog that create this interaction it is super enriching for both designer and client.

small-shops: If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

Francisco Remesal Gonzalez: Though question, there is so much to change. But having to choose one I would say that western countries need to stop abusing the global south raw materials and labor force resources, even if this means to decrease. We live in a bubble in countries like Germany in a hypocrite bubble. Me the first one, I am part of the game.