Young Berlin-based designer Lenny Murr talks non-processes, self doubt, and growing up in a family of artists.
interview
What is your brand all about?
It is about colours, concept, surprising people and the attempt of conveying a feeling of visual harmony and balance.
When did you know that this was what you wanted to do with your life? How did you get started?
I always knew it actually. It was more about finding the courage to devote myself to a creative job and accepting all risks coming with it. Getting started then was easy. My first application at the UdK was successful, I moved to Berlin and started straight away.
What effect (if any) do you think your childhood has had on the creativity you display as an adult? What are your earliest memories involving fashion?
Both of my grandparents are fine artists letting colours flow through my veins. But it was more the daily art my mother applies to everything that shaped my sense for beauty. A way of seeing all parts of life as a possibility for aesthetic expression.
My first fashion related memory would probably be me gifting my grandmother a tacky ring for Christmas I selected in a shop at the age of five.
What inspires you?
Perpetually changing and probably never the same thing twice. But right now it would be the flashlight of my iPhone.
What is your design process?
I realised there is no linear design process for me that is applicable to all my work. It is much more a constant back and forth, dismissing half of the work in the middle of the project to find just the best ideas looking back at the beginning again. But all in all questioning and challenging myself is the most important part of my processes.
What’s the most difficult aspect of what you do?
Time and material, material and time.
Do you design with a specific client in mind? If so, who is that person?
No. I work according to concepts not for a particular person. I think it is actually important for fashion to step a little back from the idea of a cliché target person to let things more room for development.
Is there a piece or a collection you are most proud of?
I would pick the strap sleeve down coat of my last collection. The prints I designed all by myself as well as the whole weirdness of the entire piece always make me smile.
Have commercialism and/or the media had any impact on your work? Is this good or bad?
As I am still enjoying the privileged status of a student Commercialism did not really cross my way so far and concepts always go first.
Media whereas built the base of my last research, brought up interesting questions and inspired me a lot. The virtual masses of imagery floating around are fascinating.
Who/what is something or someone fabulous that you think is underrated or overlooked?
Young creatives.
Do you have any words of wisdom for someone starting out in your field?
Find people that support and understand you. Do not be distracted by people that will not understand you. It is okay to be underrated in the beginning. It is okay to doubt a lot as you go. Always go but never forget it is not only a passion but a job as well.
And most important ~ try to never lose the excitement about what you are doing.
—
Clothing Lenny Murr
Photography Christian Rinke
Model(s) Einar @ Core Artist Management (Hamburg)
