Designer talk
Tell me something about yourself. Who is Cindy?
I’m 40 years old. Twelve years ago I started Lovely Mariquita. I had just given birth to my son and I couldn’t find anything fresh and colourful for kids or ladies back then. It’s around that time that different drawings came into being and the first steps were taken towards a children’s and ladies’ collection.
I had had an office job for years back then and I understood that I really prefer working with my hands and that creative things interest me much more despite the risks involved with becoming an independent.
In those days the animal figures that I created with my partner were picked up (and unfortunately also copied quite often) and we created several window displays, among others for Diesel in Brussels. Thanks to all of these lovely opportunities I had the chance to really get started.
I stopped making accessories because they were too labour-intensive. So now I really focus on clothes.
After 12 years in the business, my customers mostly drop by when they’re looking for something special for a spring ceremony or communion or a wedding suite. We try and work in a sustainable way by offering custom-made collections so as to avoid overproduction. Also, our clothes are long-lasting.
Is there anyone you look up to in fashion?
My own line refers to the silhouettes in fashion when they were most feminine: Givenchy, Dior and YSL. Beautiful waistlines, feminine elegance, a fine colour palette and refined materials.
I am a great fan of the fashion house Maison Martin Margiela, that originally was Belgian. It has a very particular view on fashion. Deconstructivism had never been seen before in fashion. Especially the shoes collection
And no one will ever be like Karl Lagerfeld. He creates successful collections at an unimaginable pace. He is a genius, a designer, a top photographer, an icon as such…
How did your designs for Juggi come into being?
There had to be a different kind of model in the Juggi collection for every different kind of person.
The easily washable neoprene for the outdoor fan, the tweed hot water bottle for the adventurer (which refers to a leather whisky flask), the golden details for the fashionistas, a bit of rock ‘n’ roll, pastel colours for children’s rooms, …
I mainly started from the idea that, when I buy or create something, it has to be too beautiful to just leave it lying around. Something you prefer to store in your closet, is often forgotten… And a Juggi is intented for everyday use, to it has be within reach all the time.
What are your plans for the future?
I hope to continue doing what I’m doing now.
Do you have a favourite Juggi?
The black one with the golden lightning! (I had Ziggy Stardust in mind)