“There’s always this one fascinating idea or thought that starts growing and expanding to different areas of life, thus creating a certain concept and mood which eventually leads to an expression in clothing…”

Ruins of Modernity is a Vienna-based fashion label, who will also show at the Berlin´s FIER vitrine fashion event on the July 8, 2014 at Lehrter Siebzehn. Maria Steiner´s fashion “is driven by the need for transforming society.” We had a closer chat with her about her beginnings, the drive to create new collections and what else she could imagine to do.

To do your own label requires a lot of strength and courage. When and how did you decide that this is what you wanted to do with your life?

I always wanted to create and be creative, but it’s a risky business to start your own label and you give up a lot of things for pursuing your dream. After spending only half a year in a “normal” job after finishing my studies I got pretty bored and I knew that I needed to give it a try at least, and that was around 2010.

Does the place where you come from inspire your work?

Maybe not so much the spatial as the conceptional place.

What drives you to create a new collection?

There’s always this one fascinating idea or thought that starts growing and expanding to different areas of life, thus creating a certain concept and mood which eventually leads to an expression in clothing…. And then there are deadlines, of course.

How does a normal day in your working space look like?

To be honest, there is no such thing as a “normal” day – it depends very much upon which phase of the creative process the collection is in. Everything demands its time – plans are dictated by tasks and not by me.

You will show your latest collection at the FIER vitrine SS15 in Berlin. When you think of Berlin, what are the first associations you have with this city?

Streetwear comes to mind, as well as young, open citizens. I am looking forward to dive into the city when its buzzing during Berlin Fashion Week.

If you wouldn´t be a fashion designer what else can you imagine to do?

I have no idea – I have not found anything that suits me better than doing what I am doing right now.

If you had a year off from work: what would you do?

I guess work because I love what I am doing. Maybe I would find some more time for the theoretical background and conceptional work.

The craziest thing you ever did…

Starting my own label.

www.ruinsofmodernity.com
www.facebook.com/ruinsofmodernity

all images by verena mandragora – framed | aw 14|15 – light | ss14