FASHTALKS WITH HELENE GALWAS

What is your earliest design memory for your brand?

I remember initally designing our brand icon; a needle with thread and a pen. This most clearly reflects our work.

When did you know you wanted to become a designer?

Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a fashion designer. When I was still in kindergarten and elementary school I dressed my dolls myself. Back then I turned old scraps of fabric from my mother into little dresses, blouses and skirts for my dolls. Later, it was my girlfriends I used to dress. I've always enjoyed dressing someone up and making them feel beautiful.

What was your previous work experience before launching your brand?

Before we started the brand, I ran my studio in Hanover for almost 9 years. That's where I learned to address the wishes of a mature and confident woman, conceal problem areas, and put the advantages in the foreground. Those were very important experiences that I gained during this time.

How has it been building your brand with a longtime friend? What were some challenges and successes?

That was the best thing that could have happened to me! Katja Popp, my partner, supports my creativity and gives me the opportunity to realize the craziest ideas. For my part, I do my best to help Katja stabilize the brand and push it forward. I think we complement each other perfectly.

“We offer sustainable, wearable couture designed clothes that are individual, elegant, and innovative but at the same time wearable and comfortable.”

What is your favorite part about designing together?

Our tasks are clearly divided. We support each other and do not interfere in each other's tasks without being asked. So, design is still my business, and company development is Katja's role.

What sets your brand apart from the rest?

We offer sustainable, wearable couture and designed clothes that are individual, elegant, and innovative, but at the same time, wearable and comfortable. We focus on slow fashion, exhibit the excellent quality of workmanship, and our clothes look just as great and appealing from the inside as from the outside.

Why did you choose to focus on creating sustainable “wearable couture?”

Wearable couture is the future! Only companies that think about nature protection and the environment have a chance to develop. We are the last ones who can still change something, so it is our duty to do it! For our children and grandchildren.

What role does sustainability play in the Helene Galwas brand?

Sustainability plays a big role for us. We re-use our production leftovers in deconstructed items as well as completely new fabric finishes, so we enclose circular fabric standards in our production. Our logistics are plastic free. Where possible, we only use organic fabrics and we also work on new and innovative upcycled coated materials, which you can see in our shiny blazer care where the coating has been an athletic running surface in the past. Moreover, we emphasize not only the special quality of the fabrics that we use but also the type of design behind each collection. We stand for slow fashion. Pieces from all of our capsule collections can be combined with each other. The individual items can be used for different occasions, times of day and seasons. Many things can be transformed by changing their shape and appearance. This is how we achieve additional sustainability, which we are happy to offer to our customers.

What is your favorite current fashion trend?

I'm glad that I can finally experience a new trend again. It feels like there hasn't been a real "new trend" for a few decades. Now, men dare to wear women's clothes. I am not talking about unisex, but real lace, sequins, and décolleté. That makes me curious and opens new doors for creativity.

“We encourage our customers to invest wisely in wearable couture and enjoy their favorite pieces for many years.”

What do you envision for the future of your brand?

In the future, I just want to see more and more women and men on the streets of Germany and in other countries wearing our clothes. If that happens, it will mean that people have started appreciating real craftsmanship and fine workmanship again. It will mean that clothing is no longer viewed as just a piece of fabric, but as a smart investment that could serve people for years, making them glow and shine.

Do you find it difficult to have a brand based in Munich, Germany? What are the perks versus the challenges?

Our brand is an example of how a modern woman can successfully work today. Our work is divided between two cities. Katja, her super team, and our headquarters are in Seefeld near Munich, in the south of Germany, and the creative department with me and a couple of the best female employees are based in Hanover, in the north of Germany. Every day we master a balancing act between two big cities, family and work. But thanks to good communication, constant exchange, and a great will to change this world at least a little bit for the better, we create new challenges with a smile!

What is the most important thing you would like your brand to be recognized for?

I feel that our brand, Helene Galwas, deserves recognition for the superior quality of the fabrics, workmanship, and design. We encourage our customers to invest wisely in wearable couture and enjoy their favorite pieces for many years.

Do you have a passion other than fashion or design?

Yes of course! My family and art!

If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before beginning your career, what would it be? 

Dare and don't be afraid! It's time to be timeless!