UMASAN is the first and only vegan High Fashion label that satisfies the needs of the new health style generation. The vegan label attaches a great importance to ecological and human production processes as well as the natural, sustainable and animal-friendly use of resources.
Anja and Sandra Umann are identical twins who are identically fascinated with the world of art, literature, eastern philosophy, traditional yoga and a higher consciousness.
While Anja Umann went on to study Fashion Design to become a designer in the high end avant-garde world of fashion, working successfully for Strenesse, Wunderkind and most impressively Yohji Yamamoto in Paris and Tokyo – Sandra Umann decided to follow her passion for visual Art and Media and became a well known photographer (published in Vogue, Gala, Bunte and many more) working as an artistic/creative director for many forward thinking global projects.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do. Our demand, and at the same time our motivation, was to create something new which goes far beyond the production of clothing and establishment of a fashion brand. Innovation in the fashion industry also means to correct luxury mistakes, to re-define collective values and to increase individual values. This reason was enough for us to start UMASAN in 2010.
What are some recent, upcoming or current projects you are working on? I just start working on the new SS 16 Collection.
How did your interest in art or fashion begin? I was the age of 18 when I started designing my own clothes. I just wanted to look individual.
#1 fashion don’t? Real fur.
If you had to explain your work or brand to a stranger, what would you say? UMASAN creates avant-garde ‘feel-good’ fashion with innovative fabrics and sophisticated Japanese cutting technique. UMASAN is creating a brave new world combining high end taste with the latest innovation regarding the longevity of planet earth and its inhabitants. Our high end collection is dedicated towards the new “change avant-garde” who likes comfort and taste without sacrificing responsibility and consciousness. The UMASAN style is marked by a timeless expression of color and design, which is conspicuous through details. The Japanese cut is anatomic/functional.
What materials do you use in your work and what is your process like? A switch from conventional to vegan and organic fabrics with certification for innovative yarns. These methods are designed to respect health, safety and environmental production. Exclusive vegan fabrics are selected to focus on animal rights — usage of natural technology yarns allows increasingly high levels of aesthetic ergonomic and ecological performance. Soy, Tencel, Modal and Bamboo are innovative, extraordinary organic and healthy yarn derived from vegan fibre, stimulates blood circulation and is a natural antibacterial agent, allowing the skin to breathe.
What artists or designers are you interested in right now? The Japanese fashion designer, Yohji Yamamoto.
What’s your favorite thing about your city? Well Berlin is so creative and unconventional, I love the free lifestyle … all is possible 🙂
What are your thoughts about the fashion scene in Berlin? The Berlin style is actually kind of 80s style — a little freaky and colorful.
What was the last collection you saw that stuck out to you? Comme Des Garçons.
What is your snack/beverage of choice when working in your studio? Just a good coffee.
If you hadn’t become a designer what do you think you’d be doing? Well, I love cycling so maybe a professional cyclist.
What are you listening to right now? I love listening to soundtracks mostly.
Can you share one of the best or worst reactions you have gotten as a result of your work? Once we had a customer in our flagship store and she tried on a UMASAN jacket… When she looked in the mirror, she start crying cause she thought she looked so beautiful. (And yes, she looked beautiful.)