Citizen of the World
I am a citizen of the world. A nomad, a traveller. I follow new horizons, chasing fresh sunsets and walking towards the dawn. Crossing continents and discovering cultures, I immerse myself in sights, sounds and textures, translating my experiences into visions of understanding and art. Combining, blending, reinventing. Unlocking hidden passageways and exploring unknown paths. Dreaming not of what is, but of what could be. Lighting the way towards perfection.
I see, hear, think and create. I gather knowledge and give it shape. Penetrating the core, observing the pace. Shaping lines and casting curves. Looking through the lens, contemplating patterns and connections, combinations of light and shadow. Imagining. Collaborating. I love working with people who are truly driven by their art. Fuelled by boundless energy, positivity and enthusiasm, I transform bold imagination into otherworldly beauty. A masterful creative director working across fashion, design and form.
I was five years old, at home in Germany, when I discovered my mother’s fashion magazines. Their glossy pages compelled me to “see”, “touch” and “explore”. Page after page of timeless beauty. My senses became attuned to Coco Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld and Gianni Versace. They brought me to life.
From that moment on, my childhood changed. Armed with snow-white paper and a rainbow of pencils, I created sparkling jewellery, opulent dresses and luxurious perfume bottles. Newly minted logos. Entire collections and campaigns. A child’s priceless gifts to his mother.
I was addicted. Truly, madly. Caught in a bespoke web, spinning threads of beauty and design. What began as a spark became a flame, and that addiction now burns brightly—a fire running through my veins. Illuminating projects. Guiding partners.
I founded my creative studio, OPIUM, 16 years ago. Working with light, colour, sound and movement. Blending powerful appeals to the senses. Intoxicating audiences with addictive design. Animation. Film. Audio. Print. Forever seduced by unconventional beauty and the creation of digital haute couture.
I love swimming. It is the only way I can feel completely free, stretching without limitation. I recommend doing so in one of the finest pools in the world, at the Mar Adentro Hotel in Los Cabos, Mexico. Its extraordinary architecture creates a space where there is nothing but you and the water. It is a magnificent, spiritual place capable of stimulating every sense. My favourite thing to wear when losing myself in its waters is always a Speedo.
One of the best places to sunbathe is Lia Beach on the island of Mykonos. Although, in truth, I am always active when I am there—swimming or doing something else. I simply cannot sit still.
I love being underwater because I feel deeply connected to Mother Earth and nature, far removed from the noise created by people. All I can feel and hear is my breathing, my heartbeat and the sound of the water.
Whenever I go to the beach, I usually take my mobile phone, sunscreen, paper and a pencil for my ideas, a shirt and shorts for lunch, and a few superfood snacks, as I am vegan. The one thing I would never forget is my phone—my gateway to the world (laughs).
I love the collection because it is timeless and not too loud. It is sexy—something very important to me—without being overly provocative. I believe it could be worn by any man, from the very young to the more mature, and by both highly athletic men and those who are less so. The pieces are extremely elegant.
I would choose the shorts as a gift for my friends—for almost anyone in my circle, as well as my Instagram friends. Some men do not wear Speedos, so the shorts would make a versatile and elegant gift.
Some of the artists and designers who inspire me are John Pawson, Jon Gasca of STUA, Jude Law and Nicolas Ghesquière.
I consider my taste elegant yet modern and moving, like the film La La Land, in which men express their emotions. In your collection, I see a deeply sensitive man who is able to show how he feels. Films that evoke this same sense of relaxation or connection with the water include Match Point and La La Land.
Paris is the city I would most like to escape to. For me, it is the most exciting and romantic city in the world.
Honestly, I would recommend Mïau to all my friends.
Thank you for allowing us to see the world through your eyes!
We want to meet more Mïau people.