MISFIT in Fashion, Bali

Saskia Koerner and Lena Jansen run the MISFIT label out of stores in South Africa and Bali, and their pieces can be found in boutiques worldwide.  VainLane caught up with them for an interview.

Saskia, you have a great backstory, can you tell us how you came to open the first Misfit store?

Saskia:  I was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa and spent some time in Hamburg, Germany where my father lives. My blood is German, my heart and spirit are African. As a kid I coordinated fashion shows at my mom’s dinner parties and always customised my dolls to a more punk style. My favourite music as a 6 year old kid was Nina Hagen and Nena, hence little rock-n-roll dolls.  After high school I went traveling through India for 8 months and I think this is where I learned all about trading and the way of business.  Coming back to South Africa and studying advertising and marketing bored me to no end; I started making clothes inspired by my boyfriend’s unique dye techniques and started selling them like hot cakes — sure beat a waitressing job.

The dye technique was a hit and we took it all over the world, selling it at markets such as Portobello Road, London, and Festivals such as Glastonbury as well as wholesaling to small boutiques.  Those days tradeshows were not the ONE & ONLY and boutiques were open to designers walking in showing their ranges and buying for cash on the spot.

After years of following summers, I decided to quit and study Anthropology full time at the University of Cape Town.  The first 6 months were great, and then i found a shop on Cape Town’s legendary street — Long Street — and the deal was so sweet that i had to take it and thought i could manage both.  Hahaha.  The shop: MISFIT took off and I did not open another text book.

That was 2002. Now i have a boutique in Dusseldorf with my new design partner Lena Jansen and we have another small flag store in Bali and recently opened a Gorilla store in Byron Bay, Australia with Label: Lyloh.

What brought you both to Bali?

Saskia: ‘South Africa is my heart and my home but there is a process going on there right now that is too harsh and too hectic for me. I find there is a struggle of some kind and it shows in the rate of murder, rape and violence which shocks me beyond belief. To live with alarm systems and high barbed wire fences is not my idea of living so for now I have made Bali my home and am loving every minute of it. This island is the most productive, creative and positive environment i have ever come across and my clothing range has taken off on a global level from these influences. I could not have chosen a better place. I do miss many things about South Africa but still have my family, friends and boutique there and go back at least twice a year.’

Lena: ‘When i came to Cape Town for the very first time it felt like I was coming home. It still is one the most beautiful places I have ever been to and I miss the ocean, the wonderful people and the mountain every day.I thought I couldn´t find a better place but when Saskia took me to Bali for the first time i knew this is the best place in the world for me.

Bali is insane.

The light and the landscape are amazing. The food is divine, people are fantastic and being able to spend time in paradise and do the work I love is the best feeling in the world and makes me happy me every day.  And this is for me what Misfit is all about – unique designs, good vibes, inspired by the world and it hopefully inspires our customers to love and appreciate this planet, its beautiful places and people like we do!’

What inspires you in your creative efforts?

Lena: ‘I am a proper German girl, born and raised in Düsseldorf, Germany.  I have always been desperate for input of other cultures, landscapes and people; I started traveling around the world when I was still very young.
All these amazing impressions still inspire me the most when I start designing.  Life itself is my biggest inspiration.’

Saskia: ‘My friend observed my lifestyle recently, when i was crashing in my studio in Bali for a month and said: “Saskia, you are the most radical gypsy I have ever met.”  I guess this describes me the most. I live in my silk dress but travel and live in a nomadic, simple manner to remote destinations and get inspired by the beauty of this planet and its people.’

How would you both describe your personal style?

Saskia: ‘Classical with a punk edge i would say. I am a textile freak and love luxurious fabrics such as silks, rayons, bamboo jersey and cashmere.’

Lena: ‘My personal style is Misfit. I wear what I feel like. Hoody or silk dress, suit pants or skirts, I love the young fashion scene in Cape Town, a bit dirty but still feminine or the easy, soft and light way to dress in Bali.’

Is there a particular fashion icon whose style helps drive the Misfit look?

Lena: ‘It is difficult to say who is my fashion icon; there are so many of them. Vivienne Westwood for sure for being wild and strong – her style rocks.  Saskia for deciding that travelling in a dip dye silk mini dress is not just possible but super-hot and my 4 year old goddaughter Emma, who has the best style I have ever seen.’

I get the sense that Misfit is a pretty unique store/brand.  Give us the final word through the eyes of the creator.

Saskia: ‘Misfit is where you can find an extension of your personality that speaks to your individuality.  We have very small runs of ranges with limited editions and unique fabrics and colors and prints. There is just nothing like it and that’s why we have customers coming back from all over the world.’

For more information, check out the Misfit Website