Millé Milano
Millé Milano was founded in 2018 by Mariana Mille who is both CEO and designer of the brand. Born in Vienna into a family of entrepreneurs, Marina graduated in Business & Management in the UK and has a Masters in Advanced International Studies from the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna. She then worked for several multinational companies at an executive level before starting her own company.
Living and working in many different countries with different cultures and languages, Marina learned to appreciate timeless beauty and classic style. This is what is reflected in her designs. All pieces are made in Milan by trusted Italian master artisans.
If you like to dress elegantly with class at all then you will simply fall in love with Millé Milano. A brand and designer I discovered in Milan one Fashion week and have been a fan of ever since.
For more information and online shop check out:
Masha Keja
Masha Keja grew up in an artistic family. Her mother shared with her a love of beauty, of clothing design and painting, leading her down a natural path to the “Beaux-Arts” in Paris.
Masha started work as an apprentice at Lancel where she discovered the diversity of leathers, fell in love with them and decided to express her love of design, shapes, colours and materials through her work accessories. Over time Masha became the Head of Design for woman’s collections at Lancel, later accessorising collections for Christian Lacroix.
Finally in 2009 with 15 years of experience, she launched her own leather goods brand. Collections consist of beiges and off-whites married with blacks inspired by the famous Haussmann buildings with their pretty black balconies in Paris. There are also deep reds mixed with black as a tribute to Parisian cabarets. Leather materials are ordered from the best French and Italian tanneries and all designs are made in small quantities.
Check out the pretty collection here:
WaterNymph
WaterNymph is a somewhat magical jewellery brand founded by Alkinoe, a now Swiss-based Naiad/Water Nymph in Greek mythology.
Alkinoe has always been passionate about salvaging vintage treasures and began making clothes and accessories at a very young age. Mostly by repurposing and refashioning her mother’s and grandmother’s 1960s gowns and custom jewellery.
As an adult, she traveled intensively, and had already lived on 3 different continents by the time she was in her 30s. Accumulating a huge amount of raw material along the way.
Sustainability and individuality are the driving forces behind her work. Art and history the inspiration, and a bit of an edge is always the final touch in her creations.
Life is too short to not stand out!
Check out more here: www.waternymph.ch
Annex
ANNEX is a pretty shop just off Bahnhofstr Zurich, close to the famous Italian restaurant Cantinetta Antinori.
Under the motto that true femininity never goes out of fashion and the strong belief that every woman has the right to be her own princess, Marina Kunz opened ANNEX in 2005. Talking to her however, Marina refuses to take all the credit for the store’s success. She says that in reality they are a close-knit team of women. Each piece in the shop is handmade with love by women supporting women. At least 80% of production is done in Italy and Eastern Europe.
I can truly recommend a visit to the ANNEX world of timeless floral skirts and dresses. Treat yourself to a touch of Dior or D&G at an affordable price.
You’ll find more information and a shop online:
Hi, my name is Yvonne, I worked in finance for almost 3 decades. One day I woke up and decided it was time to have a change and turn my hobbies into my profession. Hence the fashion/lifestyle blog www.funkyforty.com was created. That was 7 years ago. Fashion Week Street Style and other photography is also a part of my new profession.
Having a huge passion for fashion and supporting incredible female designers I am super excited at having the opportunity to share a few with you on Ladies Drive – a magazine I have loved since its very beginning.
