Rising Stars: Meet Gerda Mi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gerda Mi.

Hi Gerda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
It all started from a created swimwear for myself – as I couldn’t find a perfect swimwear for myself to surf in, all swimwear was too sexy, not comfortable or was way too sporty – so I created something for myself as it was minimal, elegant and comfortable – this is how first MAKARA WEAR swimwear born – https://makarawear.com/collections/best-sellers/products/ex-libris-one-piece-swimsuit and as soon I started to surf in it – ladies started to question me where it’s coming from – one girl gets it from me. When she brought two friends when two friends brought five friends and all organically started to sell. At the moment, I have my small team and three local family factories in Bali – making sustainable swimwear, activewear and some resort wear. As well, I am slowly re-leasing a new SUSTAINABLY made brand – AOI Label (https://www.instagram.com/aoilabel/?hl=en)

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It was for sure not a smooth road – bumpy as hell, from losing poeple that I am working with to lack of materiala and staff problem after corona, every day we get some new challenges. I will not lie, being a sustainable brand it’s a double challenge as you have to care more about the business side – as all productions – never easy as comes to material problems or zero waste formulas – sometimes hard to solve with some cuts and etc. It’s a very innovative road, but I am very happy I am on this trip and can help the planet this way and be part of a better and brighter future for our kids or animals.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a designer. Clothing Designer. I guess it came with my blood – my grandmother and mom loves fashion and has a very unique style. I lived, studied and worked in Fashion Industry in London – and had decided that for sure will not be doing this again – as started to work in ART scene curating art shows – but MAKARA WEAR born very naturally from the love to the ocean. I do love good style and quality in all – starting from coffee, sport and dates (just joking – not). I find as a designer biggest challenge and passion to combine quality and style in one mold – as I am a very active person – I always want to feel comfortable and great at the same time. I guess that’s my superpower – to make look good people while they doing sports or some daily hard tasks – and I truly love to see that – it’s my favorite part of the job.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I would suggest not to rush, start small – start with one or two products first, test it out – find your niche, build your audience.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.makarawear.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makarawear/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/makarawear/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_fay6k21S8&t=9s

Image Credits
All pictures by @Elena Kolyasova