Frankfurt Designer: made by miko

Also located in Bornheim on a residential street is made by miko's store-front and studio. Business seems to be going well for Milena Kossmann: her clothing rack looked a bit sparse when I came to visit, because she had just sold many of her pieces. Her studio/shop, similar to her clothing, is very minimal: tall white walls, shelving displaying different colored fabrics, thread, sewing machines and of course her designs on display.  Milena Kossmann has worked in the tailoring business for quite some time, has always drawn her own designs, and attended the Frankfurter Schule für Bekleidung und Mode. Before she came out with her official label, she showed her clothing designs at a fashion show organized by Stoff aus Frankfurt and counts this as its launch. 

The concept of her clothing is minimalism that has little special touches and can be played up or down.   Kossmann  believes that clothing should not create or cover a person's personality, but should be fitted to that person's personality. Her designs can easily be made casual and relaxed or made chic and elegant, depending on the accessories. Versatility at its best. A perfect example of this versatility can be seen with the white dress pictured below. The dress is almost like a blank canvas, except for that awesome 60s mod-inspired collar. Milena can easily picture it being worn with high-heels for dinner or with sneakers for an afternoon stroll. 

Her customers? Kossmann has all kinds of customers ranging in age. However, one thing she has noticed is most of them are interested in sustainable clothing that comes from the area and not from a huge superstore that produces its clothing in huge sweatshops. Kossmann also places great importance on using organic fabrics, so that she knows where they come from. Interestingly enough, a week after I visited Kossmann I attended a podium discussion with Sonja Eismann from Missy Magazine and Ann Jung from the #untrag-bar campaign about this very topic. It seems like Frankfurt is interested in environmentally friendly and socially aware clothing. 

Milena Kossmann is a pure-bred Frankfurter (teehee). She had tons of fun sounding locations and things to do to recommend. Here are just a few.

Milena Kossmann's Suggestions:

Open Air Theater Bornheim

Frida 116

Lebensfreude Pur