At the beginning of February, we had the pleasure of experiencing the new carpet collection by fashion designer Michael Michalsky in collaboration with Ruggable - and asking him personally about his inspiration. Find out now what's behind the collaboration.
Why did you choose the cities of New York, Paris, Berlin, Vienna and London? Do you have a personal connection to these places?
Yes, these cities play an important role in my life. I studied in London and lived for six years, spent a year and a half in New York and did internships there. Berlin has been my home for 19 years. Paris, as the fashion capital, naturally inspires me as a designer. And Vienna has an incomparable aura - one of my absolute favorite cities
How is the character of the respective cities reflected in the designs?
Berlin was inspired, among other things, by a painting by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner in the Neue Nationalgalerie. It shows women at Potsdamer Platz with modern architecture and curved shapes - these are exactly the elements I picked up on. Berlin also stands for multiculturalism, which is also reflected in my designs.
New York, on the other hand, is a city with a clear structure, built like a grid with straight streets. I used a lot of blue because, despite the dense development, you can always see the sky when you look up.
The inspiration for London comes from the typical upholstery in the subway and buses - sand colors with cube and check patterns that fascinated me at the time. For Paris, I was inspired by the modern aesthetic of the 1920s, particularly Eileen Grey. It's not about the ornate, classic Paris, but the modern side of the city.
Ruggable rugs are known for their functionality. How did you manage to combine design and practicality in this collection?
Ruggable is the only brand I know that makes washable rugs - I was immediately excited about that. I bought some myself and was so convinced that I contacted them. The rugs combine high quality with practical features, which is why it was immediately clear to me that I wanted to work with Ruggable.
Is a high-quality carpet already a luxury and what feeling should it evoke in the buyer?
A high-quality carpet is not a question of luxury, but a necessity. If it is also timeless, durable and washable, the investment is all the more worthwhile. Ultimately, luxury is something very personal - and treating yourself to something every now and then, be it for your body or your home, is simply a good feeling.
What role do memories or personal stories from these cities play and are they reflected in the designs?
These cities are among my favorite places, especially London, New York and Berlin have influenced me because that is where I became Michael Michalsky. However, there is no single, concrete story behind a particular choice of color. And as the saying goes: the connoisseur keeps quiet and keeps some things to himself.
How has your experience as a fashion designer influenced your approach to designing home accessories?
Fashion and interior design are more closely connected than many people think. Both areas are about fabrics, patterns and colors. Clothing is fashion for the body, while interior design is fashion for the home. That's why I don't see much difference here
Let's take a look at fragrances, which are among the things you design. What message are you primarily trying to convey with them?
I want people to feel good. I design many of my fragrances for myself - and if I love them, then I want others to feel the same positive feeling. A fragrance can radiate self-confidence and coolness, and that's exactly what's important to me.
What characteristics must a fragrance have for you to be authentically Michalsky?
This varies, as there are trends in fragrances too. 20 years ago, hardly anyone knew about oud, but today it is a mass phenomenon. I like to experiment, but in the end a Michalsky fragrance is one that I like to wear myself or smell on other people. Before a fragrance comes onto the market, I test it thoroughly - my poor friends and colleagues often have to serve as test subjects. Every fragrance develops differently on the skin, but my goal is for everyone to find a suitable fragrance from me that makes them feel cool, confident and sexy.
Scents are known to trigger strong emotions. What feeling or memory do you want to evoke with your creations?
Style. A fragrance should give you the feeling of being stylish. Of course, it can also help you feel sexy. There's a reason why they say: "I can smell the person well."
The studio is on fire. Which fragrance or design will be saved first?
Difficult question! Since my fragrances are still being produced, I could buy more. Packing up 42 small bottles in a short space of time would be impossible anyway. The most important thing for me would be my laptop - all my ideas, designs and photos are stored there. Everything else is replaceable. I'm not as materialistic as you might think.
Curious? Click here to see the collection.
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