Interview with Menswear Label Mjolk

Mjolk have always been an interest of ours. We’ve been following the progress of this label for a little while now, especially since the head designer, Lars Stoten, has been based in the UK for the last 15 years or more. That kind of sparked my interest in the beginning.

But the autumn/winter 2010 line from Mjolk also happened to be one of my favourite collections for that season. So we obviously had big expectations for spring.

As a way to showcase the new collection (which turned out great in my opinion), and also to get some background information on this mysterious brand, we got together with the guys over at Mjolk to shed some light on their current situation. This involved some imagery (presented above), which includes a picture of owner Lars, and also a few quick questions in which they were kind enough to answer.

Mjölk focuses intensively on the quality of construction and design behind every collection. Rather than giving in to the temptations and distractions of passing trends, we aim to create timeless pieces that will be cared for and cherished by the wearer for years, hopefully generations, to come.

How did the idea of Mjolk come about? Also what’s behind the name?

Mjölk started as an extension of the bespoke suiting that creative director Lars Stoten crafted for individual clients in Japan and Europe prior to the launch of the line. Designing full collections was a natural progression from this focus on tailoring.

The name references Lars’ Danish heritage, but we do not attribute any special emphasis on the meaning of the word.

I know you guys are based in New York, but you moved over to Australia briefly in 2004, why was this and did it change the outlook you had on life in general? Was it tough working out of a country that isn’t necessarily known for its vast connections in the menswear market?

We had a production office in Melbourne for a number of years and continue to produce many of our garments there, particularly knits, because we find that the quality of finish in Australia meets our rigorous standards.

Australia certainly doesn’t have a solid menswear tradition, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We love the culture and its people. Australians seem to have the uncanny ability to excel in whatever they commit to focus on–its just a matter of getting them to commit.

Our design studio and base of operations was always very mobile between London NY and Melbourne, but New York has been home for a while now.

New York is an amazing place to work and design, and we are really excited at the constant opportunities that evolve from living here.

In terms of success, the label has developed very quickly. Were you surprised with the reception you got from the get go? Also the amount of great retailers that wanted to stock you worldwide?

We are very honoured to have recognition from such fantastic retailers. Devotion to craft and commitment to producing consistent collections each season has helped to build our recognition, and we are always extremely grateful for our incredibly devoted fan base worldwide.

Your stuff is pretty clean cut, I was especially liking the suiting from your AW10 collection. Would you say you have a Scandinavian type aesthetic?

Thank you very much. Lars’ family history is rich in tailoring and garment construction, so there is definitely a Scandinavian influence on our aesthetic. Perfected tailoring is a cornerstone of our collections, a natural extension of Lars’ background, upbringing, and education.

As a designer what inspires you? Also do you have any creatives in which you look up to?

Fabric, light, family, history, art, shape, and proportion inspire the designs behind each collection. We never shy away from any form of inspiration, no matter how obscure or oblique, and research for each collection is always intensive, multi-faceted, and far-reaching.

Being part of an eclectic and creative community is essential to keeping the collections grounded yet fresh each season, and we pay homage to all of our creative peers, friends, and family members with everything we do.

How did the whole collaboration with Topman come about? And what made you take up the offer?

The collaboration with Topman was an exciting way to reach out to new customers. We get offers of this nature all the time, and the respectability and reach of Topman was most congruous with our trajectory at the time.

What keeps you inspired to create new collections every season?

As long as there are people who care deeply about the quality and creativity behind beautifully-made and designed clothing, we will continue to be inspired to produce collections.

Are there any projects in the works that you can tell us about? Also what does the future hold for Mjolk?

We have a lot of new projects in the works for this year. We are launching a retail website in the very new future, about which we are particularly excited. Also, we are developing a NY shop front and a number of collaborations in the coming year.