27-year-old German native Felice Langkamp, is the founder of MYCASHMERE. Its pieces are manufactured in Perugia, Italy, also known as the cashmere valley which houses some 500 companies dedicated to cashmere production. Langkamp strives to create pieces with a foundation rooted in comfort, effortlessness, and elegance, ensuring effortless day-to-night transitions and year-round wearability.
Creative expression can take many forms, what made you decide to start your own fashion brand?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and an innate desire to create something for myself and to transform my passion, energy and work ethic into a business that I could grow from the ground up. The lockdowns really sparked the search for effortlessly easy and elegant clothing that would make you look as good as you feel. When I stumbled across cashmere and began to discover its unique properties, I absolutely fell in love with it as a yarn and product. I became inspired to create a brand that would not only exemplify the aspirational design aesthetic and coveted brand essence of cashmere icons such as Brunello Cucinelli and Loro Piana but also make this opulence accessible at an entry-level price point while embracing sustainability in our DNA. `
In your opinion, what are the most critical aspects of the fashion industry?
Without a doubt the rate of consumption currently present in the economy. I strongly believe that sustainability is not just about end-of-life recycling which we do with our recycled cashmere to close the loop, however it’s about democratizing luxury and making it accessible so that we inspire thoughtful, considered and intentional purchases of pieces you love, which are investments that will last you a lifetime. This is something so special about cashmere, being that it is the epitome of timeless designs, high quality manufacturing and slow fashion.
What does fashion mean to you?
To me, fashion is each person’s unique expression of their personality, style and identity. I think it's beautiful how we can live in a world with so many different expressions of style and that there is no right or wrong way, just what feels most representative and in touch with you. Cashmere is extra special in this as style comes without the compromise of comfort.
What do you believe are the essential elements needed to be successful as a fashion designer?
Three things: a willingness to take risks, following your gut instinct and not giving up on your vision. Try and try again until it works. All founders in any business will inevitably reach a point at which they will want to give up. Most people do, but if you are able to truly believe in your vision and hold through the difficult moments, that is where there is gold.
Talk to us about the collection you showed at The W Fashion Week September 2023, what inspired this collection?
At The W Fashion Week, I showed a selection of sets from our core collection which represents the epitome of the brand aesthetic and design. Transitional, day-to-night pieces which can be cherished for a lifetime and are combinable with each other and with the rest of your wardrobe.
What are your favourite trends?
Hands down, quiet luxury. It very much represents my personal aesthetic and style, and I feel it’s a trend that has always been around and will always be around. It is combinable with any passing trends and creates an incredible base to which you can add your own person styling touches to.
Do you wear your own designs?
Without exaggeration, every. single. day. Whether I’m lounging at home or going on a night out, I style MYCASHMERE up or down daily to fit the current mood which is why I fell in love with this amazing yarn – it's so versatile and absolutely timeless.
How would you describe your personal style?
Most of the year minimalistic and an exact reflection of MYCASHMERE’s brand aesthetic. However, on vacation, I will do an unexpected 180 and go all out with maximalist prints and colours.
What do you do to track trends and stay in touch with the current consumer?
It’s a combination of what I see on Instagram, see on the street and read about in the big magazine publishers.
How would you describe your brand aesthetics?
The epitome of effortless elegance. A brand and pieces that make you look as good as you feel while wearing them and a brand you feel proud to wear being sustainable, female founded, and a European, ethically produced brand.
What was your biggest fear when going out and starting your own line?
I think as a founder it's normal to question yourself a million times and the validity of your product but when you really believe in your product and stick true to your vision you will constantly come back to that base of strength.
What is the typical design process like for your brand?
It’s different for each piece, mostly I identify pieces I love based on a trend like oversized jumpers and then create my own twist to them through small design aesthetics like adding slits or cut outs. For other pieces like the OLIVIA Bralette, I wanted to create a comfortable everyday bralette that could be worn under jumpers, but you would also want to show off and wear alone.
If you were not a fashion designer, what would you want to be?
A writer, but I might have something up my sleeve there too, so stay tuned… Or a wildlife photographer.
What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed into your work?
At the moment I am fascinated by raw founder stories, so I am trying to incorporate more of that and show the journey behind the scenes and also try to connect with and help other founders in their early journeys as much as possible.
What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your own label?
Building a brand is a marathon and not a sprint. Pace yourself and be ready to hold onto your vision when no one else will.
What advice would you give to young designers?
Your network is your net worth. Never underestimate the power of close & loose ties. The most amazing and successful opportunities have come to me through 3rd degree connections.
How do you choose your fabrics and where are they sourced from?
As our name states, we only use cashmere or cashmere blended with wool/silk as this is our brand DNA and identity. Our 100% cashmere is sourced from the finest Mongolian cashmere that is hand spun by one of the most amazing and well-known Italian, family-run spinning mills called Filati Biagioli who are absolute experts in their craft. We also have recycled cashmere which is made from post production or post-consumer cashmere scraps and is an amazing, sustainable yarn which we fell in love with in the selection.
What role do you think social media plays in fashion today?
I think social media is an incredible inspirational storytelling platform and tool where you can get inspired by different brands, styling techniques and content creators and then adopt them or tailor them to be your own.
