Throughout your collections, we see different references such as paisley print, a kimono cardigan, waxed denim, and distressed garments. Where do you get inspiration for your creations?
For a long time, I thought my design process and ideas were completely random, but recently I’ve realized that they always come from the same question I ask myself: “What should this look like from my perspective?” For example, when I see someone on the street, I ask myself where this person might be going and how I would dress them for the occasion. I feel most inspired by going outside and imagining how things should look from my point of view. The best ideas come from this specific question, at least for me.

Tell us about your latest shoe launch. You described it as “a modern twist on a classic cowboy boot.” Are you considering expanding into accessories and footwear?
To release a boot was one of the craziest experiences throughout this journey. For an up-and-coming brand like mine, that seemed impossible. I’m still very proud that we made that step, and it proved to me that I can create anything I want. To realize that there are no limits in terms of product was a big milestone for me personally. It motivated me further to create a world for Unvain. This year I’m already working on a jewelry line, leather accessories, scents, our first store, and maybe even a cafe. Later, I will expand my line with decorative objects and furniture.

What was the most challenging aspect in the creation of your brand?
As I dropped out of my fashion and product management degree after only one semester, I had no experience of how things go within the fashion industry. I had to learn everything myself, and it took me a long time to figure out how to run a brand successfully. That was probably the biggest challenge I had to overcome, and it still is because the fashion industry is changing rapidly, and you always have to adapt. But if you love what you do, it’s easy to overcome the “knowledge barrier.” So I would encourage everyone to just start doing what they want to do, even if they have no knowledge at all.

Unvain is focused on sustainable production. Can you elaborate on how this commitment translates into practical initiatives within your work?Yes, since our third collection, most of our garments are produced in a sustainable manner. All of our self-developed fabrics are made from organic or recycled fibers and dyed with natural dyes. We also try to ensure product longevity in the design process by focusing on a more timeless approach and paying attention to details that increase the lifespan of our pieces. We try to improve the quality, fabrics, and sustainable production with each collection. Our goal is to produce all of our pieces in a sustainable way by the end of next year.

You mentioned that some items were crafted in the same colors to be paired with pieces from the previous collection. Is this an intentional effort to encourage customers to continue wearing their existing pieces and ensure their relevance? Do you consider this a part of your sustainability strategy?
There is definitely a strategy of longevity behind it. One of my biggest goals is to get to that twenty-year mark of running the brand and then look back on my first collections, and they still match my current work. That’s an aspect I really admire about Yohji Yamamoto. You can take a piece from the nineties and match it with something that released just recently, and it will still match perfectly. This, of course, increases the lasting value of the products you create.

What is your Unvain favorite and why?
For me personally, it’s the waxed blazer with a detachable vest from my Fall/Winter 2022 collection. I usually don’t put sentimental value on objects, but this one still feels special to me, as it started a new chapter for my brand. Pretty much like the boots, it showed me that I can translate everything I’m imagining into a physical object. Creativity felt limitless at this point, and I made a whole collection inspired by this blazer.

Are all the items produced in limited quantities, or do you plan to keep certain designs as signature pieces in the permanent collection?
I will release a permanent collection called „entity“ this year. The Entity Line forms the foundation of your closet while the seasonal collections will provide statement pieces to build up on that base. The plan is to make the seasonal collections more limited, while keeping the Entity Line available throughout the year. This way we are going a step further into building a „uniform-brand.“