Inga
Founder of Inga-Lena
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
My name is Inga, I grew up in a small town in Germany before I started to explore the world of design and big-city life. First as a model, later as a designer. I have lived in Paris for many years before moving to New York . As a creative I have always continued to re-invent myself, applying my skills & passions to a multitude of outlets. I have worked as a fashion designer for other brands, I am an entrepreneur with my own label Inga-Lena and I work as a consultant helping other brands with their visual communication. I enjoy the combination of all those things as I thrive the most when being stimulated and challenged.
When did you start Inga-Lena?
As a designer you automatically absorb the universe that you are in. Having worked for other brands for many years, I felt a calling to find my own creative voice and how that would look like - who that woman would be. A natural evolution that I was going through in my personal life as well. I guess, it’s remarkable to look back and realize how my collections took a turn from pragmatic, rigid towards fluid, elegant. My collections grew up and so did I.
What made you want to launch your business?
I always felt that there was a lack of minimalist yet highly refined basics that go well with anything at any time of the day. I am such a minimalist in everything I do & own, that I much rather rotate a few exceptional pieces instead of piling up tons of poorly fabricated randomness. It makes such a difference to your day, confidence and well-being to put in that one extra minute to curate your wardrobe with care and feel true quality on your skin.
What are you most passionate about?
My greatest passion of all is research that feeds my curiosity. The old-school way. Digging through old magazines & books, visiting vintage markets and finding unique pieces that were created years and years ago yet never lost their style and creative uniqueness. Fashion comes and goes. It is style that sticks and that’s what I aspire to create with my collections.
I also try to visit as many galleries, art openings and new places as possible. Not only for the visual input but also to gasp the vibe of the city, what places are trending and to stay connected with the people that make this city.
Where do you gather inspiration from?
I grew up in the countryside and will always find my true retreat right there - in nature. The colors, the textures, the simplicity in all its uniqueness. However, living in big cities I certainly take in what surrounds me. I believe it’s a question of being open and aware of what surrounds us that drives inspiration and creative ideas.
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Holidays means time with family. I don’t see them a lot living abroad. Going home for Christmas has for sure been a tradition throughout all those years. We cook together, drink tea, light up candles and simply spend quality time together.
If you could invite any three people to your dream dinner party who would they be?
If you ask me as a Fashion Designer, I would pick Carolyne Bessette-Kennedy as my all time favorite style icon. So timeless. So feminine in the most elegant way. It’s the quiet chic that always speaks to me the most. Another person I feel so much admiration for is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She has truly opened doors for women and we should all have a little more of her courage, determination and brilliance in us.
As a third person, I would love to meet Diane van Fürstenberg. Her life journey is quite remarkable - a European who moved to New York where she successfully launched her career while also taking in all the craziness of an eccentric New York in the 70ies.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t rush. Don’t stress. It’s always easy to say that while you are trying to deal with an obstacle but truly, when looking back, it has always helped to take a step back and reassess a situation from a new perspective. Whether that requires to pivot and alter the approach. Or whether it is simply a question of patience to reach our goals. Success doesn’t come over night. Pressure (especially on yourself) doesn’t work. Whenever you feel stuck, never ever hesitate to find help.
What quote or saying do you try to live by?
I have two actually: Take everything with a splash of humor! And never give up!
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