Maggie Stadelmann
SWISS- CHINESE MODEL AND accessories designer Maggie Stadelmann is constantly experimenting with her personal style in both fashion and beauty, landing partnerships with brands like Chanel Beauty and Kilian Paris.
Paris, it seems, is the source of Stadelmann’s inspiration. Given the opportunity to time travel, she would explore the French capital sometime in the future. “I love Paris,” she says. “The atmosphere, the environment, the food, the people, the whole place is like an art piece. I want to see how much more creative they can be.”
Studying fashion and textiles at the University of Arts London was a dream come true for Stadelmann, despite her mother disapproving of her chosen field.
During the course of her degree, however, she struggled to pursue her passions out of fear of failure. “[At university] I was worried about my performance rather than just going for it,” she says. “I’m the kind of student who does what they are told, rather than doing what they think is right. I would change that if I could go back.”
Creativity to Stadelmann means “the freedom to do anything. Fashion, art, painting or something small such as manicure or makeup.” Stadelmann regrets not pursuing everything in her youth, but is now on a mission to spread joy through her creations.
Having launched her accessories brand M. Stadelmann Studio in 2016, the designer’s pieces are inspired by her lifelong obsession with mermaids, anime and Sailor Moon – bold, whimsical and colourful.
When it comes to business, Stadelmann has found maintaining her creative integrity difficult. “Putting [time into the] business and marketing elements can make me lose inspiration,” she says. “It also makes me question my designs, because I have to make something that customers will like and want to buy, rather than just something that I want and like.”
For Stadelmann, influence means “affecting opinion” and she therefore could not live without social media. “On social media I follow various big brands, as well as smaller content creators.
All of them give me inspiration in terms of art, music and many other aspects. My style icon is Yoyo Chen.”
With modelling stints under her belt, Stadelmann is also looking to a future behind the camera: “I think I’d like to be a photographer in the fashion industry or a set designer.”
“I’m the kind of student who does what they are told, rather than doing what they think is right. I would change that if I could go back”
MAGGIE STADELMANN