We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mina Muraschkin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mina below.
Mina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
In my late 20s and early 30s, I seriously considered leaving the creative path. I even applied for regular jobs—one interview stands out where I told them I gave up on being a designer because I didn’t think I was good enough. I ended up getting a great position as a stylist, with wonderful colleagues and even my best friend on the team. But after my first day, I was waiting for the bus and saw a plane flying overhead (the job was near the airport), and I suddenly burst into tears. It felt like I had walked away from my dreams. A couple of months in, I asked to switch to part-time because I couldn’t stop creating on the side. I got my first studio then and spent all my days off working on my own projects. When the company offered to renew my contract during the early days of the pandemic—with very generous conditions—I remember sitting in my car, completely torn, crying again. It was the safe option, especially during such uncertain times. But I said no. I chose to take the risk, wrote a business plan, and started over. It’s been challenging, but I’ve never regretted it. I’ve learned that for me, building something of my own—even through struggle—is the only path that feels truly right.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m a fashion designer—but for me, fashion has never been just about one piece of clothing. It’s always been about creating a full look, a full vibe. That’s why I often describe myself as look designer. Whether I’m creating garments from scratch or styling different elements together, it’s all about building something expressive and unforgettable. I work internationally across fashion, music, performance, and esports—designing looks that help people stand out and feel like the most powerful version of themselves.
Both of my parents can sew, so I grew up surrounded by fabric, patterns, and creativity. As a teenager, we couldn’t afford brand-name clothes, so I started sewing big logos onto my outfits just to fit in. That quickly turned into me sewing my own designs using old bed sheets. I always wanted to stand out, and fashion became my way to communicate without saying a word. I’d do my hair and makeup, dress up in my own creations, and take pictures—it was my form of storytelling.
Very early on, I knew I wanted to study fashion design. At first, I don’t think my parents really believed it was a serious path, but over time they saw how committed I was. Eventually, I moved to Berlin to study fashion design and started building the foundation of what I do now.
Today, I run two fashion brands: my main brand Mina Muraschkin, where I create one-of-a-kind pieces and full looks for clients who want to express themselves boldly; and my merch line Milay (Travel in Style), which focuses on comfort, functionality, and statement pieces for people who are always on the move but still want to stand out. Both brands reflect different sides of my creative vision—but at the core, they’re all about individuality, confidence, and storytelling through style.
Today, my work is about creating fashion that’s both visually striking and versatile. Most of my designs are size fluent—they fit and adapt to a range of body types—and they often consist of layered elements that can be styled in multiple ways. That’s what makes them feel fresh every time you wear them. Comfort is just as important to me as originality. I want people to feel amazing in my pieces—not restricted, not boxed in.
One of the problems I solve for my clients is making bold, high-impact fashion more accessible and sustainable. A lot of my pieces are available for rent, so people can experience something special without needing to commit long-term or contribute to waste. It gives them freedom to explore, to play with identity, and to truly express themselves in the moment.
What sets my work apart is my unique approach to styling. I don’t just design clothes—I design looks. I consider every detail: clothing, hair, makeup, mood, personality. Because I can do all of it, I build full visuals that have emotion behind them. Even when I use basic pieces, I can transform them into something that feels elevated and one-of-a-kind.
I’m really proud of who I’ve been able to work with—artists from the music, sports, and dance worlds, and especially in the esports community. I think people enjoy working with me because I truly see them. I don’t just dress them up; I create something that reflects who they are and how they want to be seen.
At the end of the day, my work is about self-expression and transformation. It’s personal. It’s bold. And it’s built to move with you—wherever you are in the world, and whoever you choose to be.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
I used to think you needed a lot of money to start a fashion business—machines, fabrics, marketing, models, photographers… and yeah, all of that helps. But the truth is, I had none of it. I invested everything I had to do an internship in New York City, and when I came back, all I had was a 70€ sewing machine and some fabric I picked up at a street market. I was working the reception desk at a dance school just to cover rent and groceries.
Looking back, the biggest investment I made wasn’t money—it was time and energy. That’s something my parents taught me early on: be diligent, stay consistent, and don’t give up just because it’s hard. I’ve seen people start businesses with a lot of financial support, but without that deep internal drive, it doesn’t always last. What really matters is how committed you are, how creative you can be with the resources you do have, and how much you’re willing to show up for your vision every day.
In my case, I was constantly doing something related to fashion—sewing, styling, taking pictures, creating looks. And eventually, someone noticed and offered me a small project. Then another. It wasn’t overnight, trust me, not at all but it built over time. I really believe that if you keep putting in the energy, it comes back to you.
So having no money is no excuse. For me, it was actually a positive challenge—it forced me to be resourceful, to think outside the box, and to prove to myself that I can create something meaningful out of almost nothing. It took me many, many years before I was actually able to invest in better tools. I bought my first expensive sewing machine after eight years of working in this business. That’s just how it went—and I’m proud of that.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
My journey has been full of moments that tested my resilience. I started my business with no financial advice or backup plan—just passion and persistence. I worked constantly, but without a structure in place, I was barely earning anything. Eventually, I had to step back and take a regular job just to pay the bills. Even then, I kept building my client base on the side. When I finally left that job to focus fully on my business, COVID hit—and all my projects disappeared overnight. So I started again. Rebuilt. Found new clients. At one point, I had a major client that I dedicated most of my time and energy to, and when that collaboration ended (as things often shift in this industry), I found myself starting from scratch again.
I’ve had to rebuild three times now. And each time, it would’ve been easy to give up—but I didn’t, because I know this is what I’m meant to do.
I remember once, someone asked what I studied. When I said fashion design, they replied, “Oh, that’s what people do when they don’t know what else to do.” That really stayed with me—not because I agreed, but because to me, it’s the opposite. In this field, if you’re not doing it out of love and obsession, you won’t last. It’s not something you can do half-heartedly or just for the money. You need to want it more than anything. That mindset is what’s kept me moving forward, no matter how many times I’ve had to start over.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.minamuraschkin.com
- Instagram: @minakaterina @minamuraschkin @milay.travelinstyle
- Facebook: Mina Ekaterina Muraschkin
Image Credits
Mina wearing Mina Muraschkin
Mina wearing Mina Muraschkin
Kai Cenat (screenshot from Video produced by Goodboy Creative)
Badmómzjay for Red Bull dance your style
James Dash (esports Awards winner ) photo by Eric Ananmalay
Flying Steps x Sap Garden photo by @fabviews_cskillz
Mina Moachina photo by @tinakrx
Mina moschina phito bei @t0m_mato