Maisie Willen Launches in Los Angeles

June 07, 2019

It clearly had nothing to do with luck, rather, it was talent, that took Maisie Schloss from Parsons Design School to a golden gig at YEEZY, where she worked her way up in the women’s design department, only to catch Kanye’s eye, and win the honor of being the recipient of his first seed grant, a project West has recently announced where he will be financially backing a selection of young, burgeoning talents in the industry.

And this week, it was time for us to see what came out of it all. Schloss, a Chicago native and now LA transplant, chose to pay homage to her new home, and the home of her brand, Maisie Wilen, and present the first collection to an exclusive crew in Los Angeles before bringing it to Paris Fashion Week for sales and public view. Thus, on Wednesday night in the fashion warehouse district of Los Angeles, the fresh, new fashion label Maisie Wilen made a major move forward, its first presentation, and it was certainly a memorable one.

Text by Anna Zanes

The setting was Night Gallery, a notable spot frequented by the most fashionable in the LA art crowd, which made an eclectic yet appropriate backdrop as the models strewn across the gallery were purposefully posed against the art itself; the guest list for this first sneak peek provided entry for “friends and family only”— and one of them happened to be Ye himself.

The collection stands out— and there is no room for lack of success given its impeccable style and sleek structuring. Eye-popping colors and crowded prints are undeterred by the cut-and-sew simplicity, and complemented by the clear, skin-tight silhouettes and range of complex textures. Jersey, mesh fabrics, slinky lycra, and snakeskin are a surprising symphony when worked into pieces that speak to the true technical precision of a pro like Schloss. office sat down with the designer herself for a second during the busy event to pick her brain on the process of bringing her dream to life.

Why LA versus New York for your first presentation?

I am based here, of course. But also, I feel that I have such a strong community here in LA, both personal and YEEZY… LA is really where can connect to.

What do you think the message, or statement of this collection? Where did you draw inspiration?

I looked at gymnastics and robotics. I was really aesthetically drawn to that. Also have drawn personal parallels into my work— I am very regimented, systematic, and alternatively, very organic and playful. That is what gymnastics is— very strict, but it looks beautiful.

I almost see that in a parallel to modern fashion, how we draw from sports in such a heavy way, but there is this element of high fashion, elegance, incorporated into styles like streetwear. I see that especially in your use of Yeezys in the looks out there. How do you think YEEZY itself offered you inspiration or influenced the work?

Mainly in the silhouettes, which are very easy, fun, purposeful, and are someth8ing I really care about. They have some very playful prints and colors, but are simple in silhouette, andand thoughtfully put together.

Where do you hope to go with it next?

Continuing to build the brand, bringing in more categories with more seasons!

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Born in the Moroccan town of Tétouan and educated in Paris, Khattabi’s upbringing required him to make sense of how the different influences surrounding him could align. In turn, his designs explore the embedded codes and history of his bicultural background. Total Recall addresses this phenomon by including garments meant to reflect adaptation and transformation. Skirts made of tire covers and motorcyle tarpaulins refashioned into dresses are scattered across the collection, conveying notions of displacement. Blending these elements adds an industrial touch to the pieces while still keeping a sense of movement.

From sweatpants infused with polka dots to nostaglic slogans and banner display, the ensembles symbolize hidden identities and memories. Giving us a glimpse into his own memories, Khattabi's work evokes affection for the past. It's a nod to the interconnectedness of culture and how we interact with its complexitites creatively. View the collection below.