MIISTA TALKS
Author: Jazz Mignone
Thu Oct 27 2022
A discussion on Creativity and Collaboration for independent creatives in a globalised world
Collaboration and creativity are two of our core pillars at Miista. Whilst our pop-up in Berlin has been built around collaboration with other creative and community driven companies, City Slang and Refuge Worldwide, we wanted to open up the conversation further with our Berlin community. On the 25th October, we hosted a panel discussion bringing together an inspiring group of creatives from the worlds of fashion, music and art to discuss creativity and Collaboration for independent creatives in the globalised world that we are living in.
We have remained an independent company for the past 12 years, and from our love of craft, a willingness to laugh at ourselves and through making mistakes along the way we are proud to have built a brand that has made a dedication to - what we like to call - The Opposite Thing. The connection between our product design and people is what collective independence means to us.
Collaboration at Miista is about connecting with creatives externally but also internally. We have spent so much time perfecting our products with local artisans in Spain and Portugal in our factories. Seeing how our community reacts with the product is what keeps us going in the current world of globalisation. We believe making stuff is sexy, and we need younger generations to think the same. Without our amazing makers and community around us, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
Miista Berlin Pop Up
By hosting this conversation, we wanted to explore what it is like for other independent creators but also welcome our like minded community in Berlin to listen and feel supported in a globalised world through the voices and experiences of those on the panel.
Moderator of the panel Lorenzo, began the conversation by acknowledging that working together as individuals can be difficult but in the end we feed off each other's qualities to which the panel explored further. Art Curator, Marina, mentioned that she believes no solo artist exists anymore and that we really need each other now.
The panel also discussed the importance of saying yes to collaborations but also saying no to projects that do not feel creatively connected to their work. Founder and Creative Director of Miista, Laura, explained that starting out as a Creative at Miista, she was always convincing people to say yes to her at the beginning and getting them to believe in her ideas as much as she did’. Rita, co-founder of Badlands magazine, added that she has learnt to say yes to projects after all these years because in the end, what she enjoys the most is meeting and working with new creatives.
We have enjoyed meeting and collaborating with new creatives in Berlin. Thank you to everyone who joined us on the panel and to those who came to visit on the night. We are so overwhelmed by your support, and we are humbled by how Berlin has welcomed us into their city.
Moderated by
Anja Prinz - Head of Editorial and Content at Sleek Magazine
Lorenzo Pradelli - Art Director at Sleek Magazine
Panelists
Laura Villasenin - Founder and Creative DIrector of Miista
Rafaela Kaćunić - Founder and Editor of This is Badlands Magazine
Paulina DJ Gigola - co Founder of Live From Earth Collective
Marina Paulenka - curator
Rita Lino - Artist and Photographer
George - Community radio station Refuge Worldwide
Laura - record label City Slang Records
Photos by Larrea Larrea