Designers Livia Ximenez-Carrillo and Christine Pluess know that friction generates energy. They founded their label, Mongrels in Common, on this principle and have been sparking interest since their debut in 2006 at the Moët & Chandon Fashion Award. Each collection is constructed around a pair of opposing influences. The Berlin-based duo avoids obvious cat-fight contradictions that tempt less sophisticated designers' imaginations. Instead of combining punk and hippie, or boy and girl, they turn their keen intellects toward revealing the contrasts and commonalities in cultures. Previous collections paired Berlin against Dubai, and Bonn against New York. The results are universally cosmopolitan and wearable anywhere. Here, we discuss their thinking and why Berlin excites them.
AFH: Do you still stick to the theme of contrasting elements or ideas in each collection?
MiC: Sure! It is part of our philosophy. Every single collection is a mongrel. Just like the two of us.
AFH: How does this notion of juxtaposition relate to your working process? Do you each take control over one element, like in a debate?
MiC: We do debate a lot about the collection but we work together on the collection and not against each other. In fact, every collection is a combination of our two characters.
AFH: What are the contrasts in your last collection—besides the contrasting yellow and blue colors?
MiC: The last collection was called “the queen hunting for jeans.” We were totally inspired by a picture of HRH, the Queen, hunting, wearing a Barbour jacket with a long skirt. This Look we did combine with denim as it was used in the 19th Century in Italy.
AFH: Are you continuing to use unusual organic materials, like salmon skin?
MiC: We are always looking to find new organic materials. We have been working with nanai leather for three seasons, we will continue to work with it, but we are very keen on working with new materials.
AFH: How will the salmon skin age? Will it age like leather?
MiC: It is pretty much comparable to normal leather. Since it’s a natural fibre it will slightly change its colour and patina, and by wearing it, the leather gets softer.
AFH: How do you think your work fits within Berlin's overall fashion scene?
MiC: Our work might not fit into the general Berlin fashion scene. But the Mongrels look is very cosmopolitan and international, just as Berlin is. Hence, it does fit perfectly to the Berlin scene!
AFH: Are most of your wearers Berliners?
MiC: Not at all. The Mongrels style is very versatile and our customers are all over the world. The Mongrels’ wearer is not determined by age or nationality. It’s fashion for everyone and it’s up to everyone to style a Mongrels piece to make it her own.
