Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Maish.
Hi Erika, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in a creative family and pursuing an interest in the arts was always encouraged. I moved to London at 17 to study fashion and textiles at Central Saint Martins. In between degrees I gained experience as an archive photographer at Céline, knitwear at Marc Jacobs, art prep at the Getty. My MA collection ‘American Psychic’ debuted at London Fashion Week, was purchased by Opening Ceremony in their last season and shown by the British Fashion Council. I moved back to LA when my UK visa expired and started taking private orders along with freelancing. I’ve since created crystal clothing for Swarovski ad campaigns, custom knitwear for Drake’s ‘Her Loss’ album rollout, costume design for contemporary dance and a residency at AZ West. I teach DIY workshops and published a book of her crochet patterns under the ‘Copycats’ project. I enjoy the variety of projects I’ve gotten to work on and am interested in the intersection of fashion, art, film and music.
My work has been featured in artworks by Cauleen Smith (Astrup Fearnley) and David Uzochukwu ; publications including the LA Times, Cultured, AnOther, Dazed, i-D, various editions of Vogue; worn by Parker Posey, Tom Daley, The Marias, Maude Apatow, Sudan Archives, Olivia Dean,Olivia Rodrigo, Remi Wolf, Kylie Jenner and Gigi Hadid to name a few. I have shown work at NADA Design Fair, IFS Film Festival and won Best Microfilm at the 2024 Los Angeles Independent Short Film Awards.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It was definitely a challenge moving back to LA right before the lockdowns and trying to find a community. Navigating many types of working relationships, bureaucracy, imposter syndrome
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work primarily as a designer and photographer and make the majority of pieces myself. I’m known for my experimental use of materials creating artisanal garments and objects that question notions of craft, function, adornment, value and reproduction through a surreal lens. My hand beaded pieces are particularly special to me as the shaping technique is something I’ve really developed.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I would like to see production slow down and having time to create high quality sustainable work. I’m seeing more designers leaving the main fashion capitals and releasing work when it makes sense to them, not every season
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.erikamaish.com/
- Instagram: @erika_maish
Image Credits
Alex Justice
Erika Maish
