We recently had the privilege of interviewing Mariana Malni, Founder of her brand Mariana Malni. With a passion for luxury and sustainable fashion, Mariana has built her brand, where she welcomes modernity and high tech in a bid to create a better future.
Mariana, an expert designer as well as a keen supporter of sustainability, crafts beautiful ladies handbags with innovative ideas and conscious choice of materials that form the basis of her vision towards a better environment. In this insightful session, Mariana speaks about her brand, visions, and goals for her business.
Spark Behind The Journey
We started the interview by asking, “Reflecting on your journey, what inspired you to start in your current industry, and what was a defining moment early in your career?”
Mariana shared, “I have always had a passion for fashion and luxury, but I wanted to combine it with a deeper purpose. Sustainability and craftsmanship were core values that inspired me to create Mariana Malni. The defining moment for me was realizing that luxury can and should be sustainable without compromising on quality or design. This led to the birth of my brand, where we use innovative materials like grape skin material, and nickel-free hardware, and work under Italian management, ensuring our products reflect both luxury with purpose and environmental responsibility.
We use innovative materials like grape skin material, nickel-free hardware, and even repurpose dead stock from LVMH, which is a sustainable approach to repurposing materials that would otherwise go to waste or be burned.
This commitment to sustainability has been recognized through our nomination for the prestigious ‘Sustainable Product of the Year’ award by MENA Waste Management and Recycling.”
Overcoming Major Adversities
Challenges are an inevitable part of every business journey. So, we asked, “Throughout your career, what has been one of the most significant challenges you faced, and how did you overcome it?”
She shared, “One of the biggest challenges was breaking into the luxury market with a sustainable approach, especially in a region where luxury is often equated with traditional materials and well-known brands. Convincing people that luxury and sustainability can coexist was a hurdle.
I overcame this by focusing on storytelling, highlighting the uniqueness of our materials, like grape skin material as an alternative to leather, and the fact that we work with world-renowned suppliers who follow sustainable practices. We also maintain strict quality control and focus heavily on craftsmanship, which sets us apart from mass-manufactured products.”
Sustainability: A Responsibility
We further asked Mariana, “Given the rapid evolution in your industry, what major trends do you see shaping the future, and how is your company preparing for them?”
“Sustainability is no longer a trend; it’s becoming a necessity. Consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their purchases. I see a growing demand for transparency, ethical production, and innovative materials in the fashion industry. At Mariana Malni, we are ahead of the curve by integrating these elements into our core.
“Our commitment to sustainability extends to repurposing dead stock from LVMH, a practice that aligns with our ethos of reducing waste and promoting a circular economy. We use sustainable materials, ethically source our leather, and nickel-free hardware, and ensure every bag is manufactured under Italian management. We are also investing in unique collaborations, such as our ‘Gestin Art’ collection, which showcases hand embroidered, one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by endangered flowers.” She reflected.
Visions For The Brand
We were interested to learn more about the goals Mariana Malni has set for her brand. So, we inquired, “Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for your company, and what strategies are you considering to achieve them?”
Mariana replied, “I aspire to make Mariana Malni a global leader in sustainable luxury, where innovation and craftsmanship go hand in hand. Our strategies include expanding our presence in key markets like the US and Europe, supporting local artisans and communities, and creating unique pieces that highlight craftsmanship. We are also planning to introduce more vegan alternatives to leather, which align with our commitment to sustainability. By including more artisans in our process and collaborating with local businesses, we aim to strengthen the community and provide opportunities for creative talent.
Additionally, we want to create more awareness around alternative materials, encouraging young designers to explore new sustainable options. By pioneering the use of innovative materials like grape skin material, we aim to change the perception that only traditional leather is synonymous with luxury. Mariana Malni is dedicated to setting the path for a more sustainable future in fashion, expanding into new markets while staying true to our core values of quality, craftsmanship, and environmental responsibility.”
Adaptability Amidst Uncertainties
AI and emerging technologies are transforming businesses. We inquired, “How do you see these changes affecting your industry, and how is your company adapting?”
She responded, “AI and emerging technologies are making personalized experiences and smart production possible in fashion. At Mariana Malni, we are using AI to target our audience more effectively, especially through our online campaigns and ads. We’re also exploring ways to integrate AI into the design process, from predicting trends to streamlining sustainable production practices. At the same time, we maintain our commitment to craftsmanship by ensuring that each piece, particularly in our ‘Gestin Art’ collection, is uniquely handcrafted with the utmost attention to detail.”
Core Ethics Of Mariana’s Business
We asked, “What guiding principles or core values have you consistently relied on to drive your company’s success?”
Mariana replied, “Our guiding principles are sustainability, craftsmanship, and luxury with purpose. At Mariana Malni, we believe in creating products that not only look and feel luxurious but also contribute positively to the environment. We don’t engage in mass manufacturing to reduce waste, and we carefully source our materials from suppliers who follow sustainable guidance.
We also use nickel-free hardware, and our production is managed locally under Italian expertise. Our dedication to quality over quantity and our innovative approach to sustainability, like the ‘Gestin Art’ collection, drive our success.”
Flagship Products At Mariana Malni
To learn more about the innovative projects undertaken at Mariana’s brand Mariana Malni, we asked, “Could you share an innovative strategy or approach that has recently helped your company stand out in a competitive market?”
She replied, “One of the most innovative strategies we’ve adopted is the use of grape skin material, which is not only environmentally friendly but also ties in with our target audience in the wine industry. Additionally, our focus on craftsmanship has helped us stand out.
Each piece undergoes rigorous quality control, and our ‘Gestin Art’ collection, in particular, brings a unique artistic touch, with pieces inspired by endangered flowers and hand-embroidered by local artisans. This blend of sustainability and artistry sets us apart from competitors.”
Embracing Agility And Innovation
We concluded the interview by asking, “How has your leadership philosophy evolved over the years, particularly in light of the technological advancements and disruptions in your industry?”
“My leadership philosophy has evolved to embrace flexibility and innovation. Technology has made it easier to streamline operations and reach a wider audience, but it has also made the market more competitive. I’ve learned to leverage these advancements to enhance the brand’s message, from how we source materials to how we market our products.
At the same time, I remain committed to craftsmanship, ensuring that each piece reflects our core values of sustainability and artistry. The ‘Gestin Art’ collection, with its one-of-a-kind, hand-embroidered pieces, exemplifies this balance between technology and traditional craftsmanship.” Mariana concluded.
Follow Mariana Malni on LinkedIn.
Find Mariana Malni on their website https://www.marianamalni.com
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