Today we’d like to introduce you to Gerda Mi.
Gerda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The idea for Makara Wear started 3.5 years ago, when I moved to Bali and fell in love with the ocean and the island lifestyle.
I used to live in LA, where I started to surf. Before that – London – where I studied and worked in various fashion jobs as a stylist, designer’s assistant, PR, even P.A. in British Vogue. I got so tired of the fashion world, and spent the last year as a curator for some art galleries, they were fun times. After I finished my University in London, I decided to go traveling in Asia, and fortunately got stuck in Bali.
I started to surf every day and recognized that there aren’t many choices for surfer girls in terms of surf wear. It was always a very sexy Roxy bikini or super sporty Quicksilver suit. At that time, I was surfing in my little vintage-cut wetsuit which I got in Santa Monica. It got a lot of attention and many girls kept asking me where I got this suit from. So me and my ex-partner decided to create something similar. And this is how it all started – from that one suit. We created our first Swimsuit – the Ex-Libris one piece swimwear, which is still one of my favorites. We got so much attention from surfer girls, they started asking where they could buy it.
So after one year of playing and creating surf wear for ourselves, we got more and more people interested in us – Australians, Europeans and California peeps.
The next year, we decided to create a website and a proper collection. Well, we had some issues and split up, but I didn’t give up and continued to create and grow the MAKARA beast.
After the second collection, my partner Kristina – an old friend from LA, called me and said let’s work together. I was so tired and exhausted to work alone, that I was so happy to accept this offer. So this is our first campaign together. The new collection is not so concentrated on surfing, because California is a cold-water surfing spot. So in addition to surf – this collection is also about other water activities as well as non-water activities too.
Has it been a smooth road?
Well the biggest struggle for me was when I got back after a surf trip in the Philippines and I found out that my ex-partner Xenia, stole the entire first collection from our factory, that we created together. I was shocked…. well it’s many brands story, is in it? One goes bad, when some money comes in.
With my new partner – Kristina, we are always super honest and open to new ideas and sharing our feelings about how we feel about certain decisions, so we both can feel safe, working together – not always easy. I love it that we both uphold a certain professionalism in the process and we always keep our feelings aside for certain moments. In the end, we never keep anything inside, if there is anything to say to each other we always say it, albeit in a nice way.
Another struggle a different approach of work in Bali, comparing to LA. Everything here, comes late and with a lot of misunderstandings and fixing. People very chill and slow, here, so money and time doesn’t count, but actually I think so I got used to it already and just got more chill and relaxed by my-self, if something it’s late – I just accept it. Learn some strategies and formulas, how worked it out, so deliver everything on time to LA crowd.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Makara Wear story. Tell us more about the business.
Makara Wear is a European swim and apparel brand designed for adventurous women. Makara is all about comfort, elegance and style. Makara’s designers have worked very hard to create a product that is simple, yet sophisticated – for modern women and their needs in mind.
Makara’s swim line has been internationally recognized by active women that are into water sports. Our suits are made using top Lycra material and have been tested in various waters, weather and extreme conditions.
We are known for one-piece swimwear that work for extreme sports. But do it elegantly. We also make bikinis and long-sleeve lycra swimwear. We have started making forays into Eco solutions, consciously choosing organic cotton for clothing – as we believe in sustainability for our future.
What’s really sets apart us from other swimwear brands, is that we create swimsuits, to build confidence in women, so they can feel strong and yet safe, not to mention elegant during their water sessions. It appears like people are also showing interest in our organic cotton boho wear, so we will not let you guys down and are creating new designs with organic cotton.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think so Organic cotton is the future.
And I believe more and more women will join extreme sport side, that’s what I wish to all women around the world don’t be scared of big waves or big challenges.
More and More women join professional side of surfing.
Surfing and Yoga Industries is growing, so Makara wear beast will grow too.
Pricing:
- Our price range is from 45usd to 160usd. We really care about product quality, but we want to be affordable to everyone
Contact Info:
- Website: www.makarawear.com
- Phone: +13237020049
- Email: [email protected]
Image Credit:
Photo By: Paulius Stefonavicius
Surf Photo by: Hatsumi Ishibashi
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