Nana: Fashion has infinite possibilities, and new power is born from it. As a carrier of culture and times, fashion encompasses everything. From trendy to traditional culture, from celebrities, idols to everyone’s daily life, and from West to East, it is our discourse, our power, our time. Through Asian Voice, we hope to spread the local Asian fashion culture to the world by moving cross languages and borders.
As a pioneering Chinese designer brand of the new generation, MASHA MA holds the distinction of being the first and youngest Chinese designer to feature in the official lineup of Paris Fashion Week, garnering widespread international acclaim.
Her time studying abroad illuminated the boundless freedom of artistic expression in the world of fashion, igniting her passion to communicate her unique vision to a global audience. Thus, a brand emerged that revolutionizes women’s fashion, transcending the mere portrayal of outer beauty to become a powerful emblem of resilience and courage. MASHA MA crafts a formidable “shield” for women, empowering them to venture into the world and wholeheartedly celebrating and championing the strength of women through the brand.
You have substantial experience working in the fashion industry and studying abroad at St. Martin‘s before embarking on your journey to establish your personal label. How did these experiences shape your decision to launch your own brand, MASHA MA?
Masha Ma: When I was growing up, China was on it’s way to connect to the world, cultures from all around the world was constantly flowing in. I was fascinated and set a goal in the process to someday study and work abroad. When I arrived in London, it was a shocking experience for me, I started to realize how free art and design can be. It is all about “my” interpretation of the world, what I wanted to express, it urges to show the world what I “see” and “imagine” which fueled me to establish my own label.
If you were to summarize your brand in a single sentence, how would you define it?
Masha Ma: Modern elegance, luxury with style. Never shouting for attention but never silenced.
How does MASHA MA use design to showcase femininity?
Masha Ma: Femininity isn’t just about the shapes and forms, although I would stay true to the human figure, I prefer to emphisis on embodying the romance, the strength and the independent spirit of women. Refuses simplicity and mediocrity. Ardently pursuing to redefine and explore new possibilities for women’s wear.
What do you imagine a woman wearing MASHA MA to be like in your mind?
Masha Ma: I would say maybe a modern Mulan Fa, she is the symbol of courage, loyal, and perseverance. challenging the status quo, stay true to the heart and doing what she believe is the right. I would love to create a modern day “armor” for her.
How do you come up and decide on the themes for your collections, and where do you find the inspirations behind?
Masha Ma: I find my creative muse through the characters of modern femininity and infused with tales of the past to create something new yet meaningful.I’m deeply intrigued by the strength under the disguise of modern females’s charm,and one of my goal is to embrace and celebrate this powerful energy.
how do you see the development of fashion and design in China at this stage and where it is going in the future?
Masha Ma: It’s a very competitive market in China and I’m glad to see new designers come to the rise every now and so. With the continuous advancements in technology and diverse inclusivity of aesthetics, I am confident in the future of fashion industry in China.I hope in the future with the growth of China’s global influence, more and more Chinese designer will rise to the international stage and showcase their design.
What are some of the challenges you encountered while building MASHA MA?
Masha Ma: As I mentioned before, China is one of the most competitive market in the world. the trend is fast and hard to predict, but this is the exciting part, new tech, new forms of marketing, unique sales channels and business models are invented and executed everyday. But opportunity comes along with the challenges, and we as a brand embraces it.
Do you have any advice for our readers who are seeking to find a way to start their own brand or career in the fashion industry?
Masha Ma: Stay true to yourself,and stay committed to your goals. It’s gonna be a hard ride but may your passion and belief persevere.
Stay true to yourself,and stay committed to your goals.
Text by Yiyao Zhang
