Manuela – kids fashion (interview with Manuéla Maráczy)

Today I would like to introduce you to Manuela, kids fashion design brand from Hungary. With the retro feeling of 70’s and 80’s your 1-6 year old will deffo stand out from the average toddler wearing Manuela. Read on to find out more in the interview with Manuéla Maráczy:

1. For introduction, could you first tell us a few words about Manuela – the person?

Hm. I don’t know if there is anything interesting to tell about me. I was born in a small city in Hungary, I am from a basic family with lots of talent. My father worked in a theater as a scenic designer for years, so I grew up in the theater walking around the departments and of course my favorite was the costume department.
I have studied at Mome and after graduation I lived in Helsinki, Finland for 6 years. I came back to Hungary because I was missing the colorful life and the vibe of Budapest, but mostly my family.

1. And now Manuela – the brand?

The brand was established in 2005, I was designing women’s street wear.

But in 2011 I started to design kids clothes. As time passes I feel more and more what the way for my brand is. More and more I feel a need to make unique designs by designing my own fabric patterns using them as the base of my style. These patterns are hand printed with silk screen technique. I also really like hand dying the clothes to make them little more playful. It is nice to see how my brand’s style is getting more clear and settled with age.

1. How did it all start? Why kids clothes?

It started with a women’s line collection around year 2002. It was a very small retro style collection based on the influence from Helsinki where I have studied as an exchange student.
Then I designed more and more for women in Helsinki where I was living back in that time. And then I got 2 lovely daughters so my interest has shifted to kids designs.
We moved back to Hungary at 2010 and I started to mix the Scandinavian simplicity with the Hungarian decorative style on kids clothes.

1. So you have daughters, to which extent do they influence your work?

First of all I pay attention to what do they need in everyday life and on special occasions.
I find leggings on kids very practical and we use a lot of them. So I designed some special printed leggings which can be worn for festivities as well.
Every piece I design I ask my daughters to try on, and they love it They also tell their opinion and I listen their to feedback. But of course, they always love everything mom makes
As my daughters are growing the sizes will grow too, so I think we will end up with the women’s line again.

1. What part of the creative process do you like best? Do you work alone?

I like almost everything in this field, but it is a great feeling to watch all the photos after a photoshoot. It feels like one part of a long process is done, what I have drewn down is on a different level, ready for consumers. Luckily I work more and more with people, I love to work in a team or with someone who has creative ideas too.

1. Do you have a 5-10-year plan, or do you just do it instinctively?

My plan is to reach more people with my clothes, to go to fairs/shows to show my designs and also to see others. I would like to hire a few people in the company, and have a little showroom somewhere nearby. I would also love to have a little printing studio with others to make our own patterns.

1. Favourite Hungarian designers!

At the moment I am too busy with my own creative ideas.

1. Favourite foreign designers!

There are tons of very inspiring and talented designers, but I feel like we all row in the same boat of designing our desires.

Thank you Manuela!