The Scandinavian couple Maki Aminaka Löfvander and Marcus Wilmont, have a design background to die for. The pair met while working for the delectable Robert Cary-Williams, after studying at Royal College of Fashion and Central Saint Martins.  After embarking on a partnership to create Aminaka Wilmont, a brand associated with beautiful prints and soft tailoring was born.  Created for the confident woman with “an appreciation of creativity and pure unconventional beauty”, statement pieces include distressed leather jackets and draped silk dresses. Not surprising then that they have already prevailed as Fashion Fringe winner’s way back when in 2007.

What is the inspiration behind the AW12 collection?

This season we looked at glass, crystals and precious stones – their origins, structure, processes and natural effortless visual beauty. Something only nature is capable of producing. It is an altogether darker and more sultry mood to the collection but with some flashes of vibrant colours thrown in.

With not long to go till London Fashion Week, how are your nerves?

There are generally so many things that need your attention at this stage that we don’t tend to think about the show – except in logistical terms. Creatively the collection was finalized a while back so that’s not too much of a worry. Nerves only generally kick in on the day of the show when you are getting ready backstage and have time to take stock.

Widely acclaimed for your gorgeous prints, how do you feel about this head-to-toe print trend creeping through the catwalks and blogs?

We enjoy the visual artistry of prints and what they bring to a show as well as individual garments. Trends come and go with some being more successful than others. We really value creativity that is employed with reason and integrity- if the right person is paired with the right print then it can be beautiful. However not everyone can carry off an all printed look so I supposed it depends on who is wearing it! 

You obviously work very closely together as a duo, have there been any door slamming or is this a perfect partnership?

There are doors slamming every day and that is why it is a perfect partnership!

In a previous interview, you say you find the streets of London creatively stimulating. Do you think Street Style is leading the way for designers?

Actually, we don’t really feel that people on the streets at this moment in time are very expressive or creative with what they wear. Too many people are far too influenced by the press or celebrities to create their own personal individual style- unfortunately.

You seem to know your customer very well as a confident and unique woman. Did you naturally come to this or did you always aspire to dress this kind of woman?

Every collection that we do centres on a muse. Very few people actually know this but for us the inspiration and concepts always have a muse at their heart. The women we select as muses for our collections are always mature, self-confident and unique individuals with lots of personality- inevitably this influences the clothes.

We have seen some interesting footwear from your catwalk shows in the past, are we in for more feet treats?

We like making something special out of what the models wear when it suits the collection. This season we were fortunate enough to work with an amazing NY shoe designer- so we did not have to produce our own this time round.

Madonna wore your chain Bolero for her epic performance at the Superbowl. How did you feel when you got that call?

Apparently, Madonna wore it before and after the performance and loved it- but somehow it ended up on one of her dancers for the show… But that’s ok. We were ditched in favour of exclusive Givenchy Couture pieces so no hard feelings, just happy she chose it and wore it.

Do you think the Queen is back or should she hand over her crown to Gaga?
Madonna will always be the Queen- perhaps Gaga can be the Duchess?

Can we expect Menswear from Aminaka Wilmont in the future?

We would genuinely love to do menswear. It is purely a matter of finding the time and headspace to get stuck in.Hopefully one day.

 

You can see Aminaka Wilmont’s Fall 2012 collection hit the catwalk on the 21st February

Words By Sara Wilson