Karen Radley chats to Marie, head of design for Masai

Tell me about your fashion background:

I got my fashion design degree at Kolding Design School, and I have over 25 years of experience working for different Danish clothing brands.

Favourite neighbourhood in Copenhagen:

My favourite neighbourhood in Copenhagen is Vesterbro which incidentally is also where I live. I have lived there for many years and I love the laid-back atmosphere and the diversity of the people living there.

Favourite place for brunch:

I don’t often do brunch, but I do enjoy a late breakfast on the weekend. For that, I would go to Hart Bakery for a nice sourdough bread, organic egg and a cup of coffee.

Best coffee in Copenhagen:

That must be “Prolog” in The Meatpacking District where coffee is considered to be more of an artform than anything else. The Meatpacking District is an old part of Vesterbro, which previously was a butchers’ market, but has been turned into creative offices, restaurants and bars.

Favourite gallery or museum:

My favourite museum is Louisiana Museum of Modern Art just outside of Copenhagen. Great art. Great restaurant. Great garden.

Tell us a secret:

I don’t really have secrets – but I do have a secret dream. When I one day decide to finalize my professional career, I dream of being part of an artisan collective where I want to make a knitting studio, inviting people in for workshops, designing unique knitted pieces and just share my great passion for knitting.

Favourite place to shop:

I love going to the fleamarket – The thrill of finding that hidden gem – a funny vase, a handknitted scarf or maybe a bowl that you remember from your childhood home. 

Favourite place to find inspiration:

I love visiting London for inspiration. It is a giant melting pot of different cultures and has a lot of great high fashion and high street shops, great vintage/second hand shops etc. I always return to Copenhagen full of ideas.

Best Copenhagen destination for a date: 

For a casual night out, I would go to our local Italian pizza restaurant MaMeMi, the best pizza in Copenhagen and they also serve great wine that the owner handpicks from smaller vineyards and brings home himself from Italy.

Favourite park:

My favourite park is Frederiksberg Gardens, a romantic landscape garden designed in the English style, a green free space where I often go for a walk.

Favourite food market:

In Copenhagen we have “Torvehallerne” right in the centre of the city. Here you can get pretty much everything your heart desires, all in good quality.

Your sanctuary in your neighbourhood: 

I usually go to Riccos Coffeebar, a small café just around the corner. I have been going there ever since they opened many years ago. It’s always nice to walk in the door to see the barista already making my coffee since they know my order.

What inspires you?

A lot of things inspire me : People watching, Looking at art, movies – basically the world around me.

This season I’m loving:

This season I will definitely be wearing a cool Masai skirt ( ex. the MaSanchi skirt) together with a

 t-shirt with a beautiful frontprint ( ex. the MaDoreann top).

I also always need a printed dress -  this season it will be the Masai MaNyrana dress – a romantic flower printed dress in great colours – the dress is framed with an black and white graphic edge which make a dramatic effect and makes the dress really special.