-
people
Q&A | Maya Reik | MAREI 1998

Written by

flaunt

No items found.
![Screen Shot 2018-08-07 at 1.04.15 PM.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c346b607eaa09d9189a870/1533674906173-R9P2Z7VDLMPO7CTKI73K/Screen+Shot+2018-08-07+at+1.04.15+PM.png) ![Screen Shot 2018-08-07 at 1.04.34 PM.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c346b607eaa09d9189a870/1533675058865-NUWP7JQFI5DZ6HWIUBDB/Screen+Shot+2018-08-07+at+1.04.34+PM.png) ![Screen Shot 2018-08-07 at 1.04.50 PM.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c346b607eaa09d9189a870/1533675126120-7AVQIRT4N8TJRXJN65M4/Screen+Shot+2018-08-07+at+1.04.50+PM.png) ![Screen Shot 2018-08-07 at 1.05.48 PM.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c346b607eaa09d9189a870/1533675250537-WXMXTSPQW4RG9I8EO4ML/Screen+Shot+2018-08-07+at+1.05.48+PM.png) ![Screen Shot 2018-08-07 at 1.06.21 PM.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c346b607eaa09d9189a870/1533675321353-53VPJLUYP9I6R5P9E7TU/Screen+Shot+2018-08-07+at+1.06.21+PM.png) ![Screen Shot 2018-08-07 at 1.06.46 PM.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c346b607eaa09d9189a870/1533675366662-H1TQA85NSQ6K6EY81P0M/Screen+Shot+2018-08-07+at+1.06.46+PM.png) ![Screen Shot 2018-08-07 at 1.07.03 PM.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c346b607eaa09d9189a870/1533675415710-O2SF05LSDNO6QNVL5CBS/Screen+Shot+2018-08-07+at+1.07.03+PM.png) ![Screen Shot 2018-08-07 at 1.07.19 PM.png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56c346b607eaa09d9189a870/1533675508136-XWCPVCMJCZUEKI4GJDLC/Screen+Shot+2018-08-07+at+1.07.19+PM.png) Meet Maya Reik. The 20-year-old designer taking over the fashion world by storm. After dropping out of college to pursue a career in fashion, Reik launched her clothing line MAREI 1998. Catching the eye of Vogue and Vogue Italia, Maya Reik has got the beauty and the brain. With this exclusive Flaunt interview, Reik told us more about her fashion inspirations, her latest obsessions, and the what goes behind in making her one of a kind pieces.  **Where are you from originally?** I was born in Israel, year 1998. **What's on your mood board currently?** My current inspiration are the glory days of old Hollywood, past eras of Hollywood style and glamour. I’m always travelling for work and so inspiration comes to me all the time, I love to absorb myself in my surroundings: Art, old buildings, nature and culture are all things that I draw from when designing collections One of my favorite moments in my design process is seeing how all of the eclectic elements of inspiration come together and how they appear on my mood-board in harmony. I’ve also started learning to paint recently, using a lot of yellows and golds tones that I know will eventually manifest in my next season collection. **What is your design process like?**  The design process is dynamic, almost intuitive and looks different from time to time. It can start with collecting all the elements of inspiration and putting them all together on a board, in a way that’s cohesive to me and tells a story. Another approach for me, is when I find a piece of beautiful fabric that touches my heart – without doing anything to it, the material itself is able to ‘_hold_’ / represent our MAREI story and inspire the design process. In general, I’m a dreamy type of person, I have a lot of ideas that by the time we’re starting any process of creation I cannot wait to bring all my ideas to life. **Define the MAREI 1998 woman.** The Marei woman is independent, she’s alluring with a cosmopolite point of view. She’s stands out in a crowd because she’s bold and confident but in a genuine effortless way. She knows how to enjoy life, (doesn't take life too seriously), and always brings her personality to impact her outfit. **What did you study before getting into fashion?**  I left high school and moved directly into fashion. I felt that I was not fulfilling myself in the traditional system of education. I wanted to study and develop myself into something I felt passionate about and turn it into my real life profession. Looking back, it wasn’t an easy decision. The process of leaving school felt like jumping into deep water with the only option of swimming fast and learning how to swim during the process. I’m proud that I made that decision, and I’ve never once looked back with regret. **Is there a singular figure living or dead that you would like to design for?** Natalie Portman. She is the ultimate Marei woman for me, she embodies the spirit of the Marei woman, I would love to see her wear my designs. **You have a lovely way with silhouettes and masterful eye with draping in a classic cinematic way. What films or cultural movements have inspired your designs?** Every collection has its own mood and story that is always aligned with the brand’s eternal values of the 20’s and old Hollywood glory. For my latest collection, my muses were Tallulah Bankhead and Louise Brooks, both of which offer a glamorous sense of self but with a strong and independent approach. Specifically, for the Resort 19 collection, I drew inspiration from Art Nouveau aesthetics and taking these elements and translating them through delicate fabrics **Do you have a favorite piece in your collections ever? If so, what is it?**  I can't choose between my collections, but I can say I'm in love with our unique luxe Eco fur pieces –you feel amazing when you wear them, and the shapes are  bold and fun. They reflect my personal belief in style, and they’re the perfect carry-on piece of Marei to own in your closet. **What do you love most about the fashion industry and what do you like the least? And what do you possibly hope to change?**  I love to see the changing world and the positive global processes and how they impact the fashion industry: I think the true magic of this creative work is to reimagine a negative process, transforming it into something with positive impact on people and the environment. I'm always excited to look at my colleagues and their own interpretation for the future. The main challenge for me is on the one hand to keep up with today's fast evolving times, and on the other hand to completely disconnect myself from anything that is happening now in order to clear my creation thought process. **Do you believe in astrology? If so, what do you think your sign says about you?** I do believe in that! I'm a Cancer. Part of my sign character is high sensitivity, shyness, a person that is well connected to his home and family – I'm can really relate to this, it’s a pretty accurate description of me. **Who are some of your design and art heroes?**  I'm inspired by so many artists from different decades in the history of art. My favorite at the moment is the Scottish artist Charles Mackintosh, he’s well known for his enduring flowers sketches.  **Current book you're reading?** At the moment, I’m reading a book about Buddhist beliefs and philosophies – Meditation and being Present are at the core, ‘The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle. Usually I read when I’m flying somewhere. (This when I have the time to think and process). **Last great art show you saw?** I love to discover new young artists and view their fresh interpretation and perspective. The  last show I saw was of a young Japanese artist that combines water paint and ceramics.   **Favorite television series currently? To binge-watch? To be inspired by?** The Handmaid's Tale is the last T.V. series that I’ve seen. I watched it with my boyfriend and I must say that I was not inspired by the premise of the series, but I can say it definitely left me with a lot to think about.. it left a lasting impression with me. [https://www.marei1998.com/](https://www.marei1998.com/) * * * Written By: Abby Siegel