INTERVIEW WITH ALEXANDRA SOMLO
BEHIND THE SCENES
Alexandra tell us a little about yourself, why cashmere scarves and the unusual name EMAAL?
Cashmere and scarves have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Even as a small child, I would secretly take my mother's cozy scarves to wrap myself in. They were and still are my favorite way to go through the cold, they are my substitute for jackets and coats.
The name EMAAL is a personal story, it is the fusion of three names: Emma, Magda & Alexandra. My two daughters and me. Emma and Magda share my passion for cashmere and scarves.
Where did the inspiration for your very first collection come from?
I love traveling. There's always a scarf in my luggage. Wherever I am in the world, I go in search of cashmere scarves, new colors and patterns. I personally like to wear colors and patterns that are unfortunately not so easy to find in cashmere scarves. I often think it would be great to have a pink scarf, but where can I get one? Well, that was my first inspiration: if I can't buy it, I'll just design and make the scarf myself. A surefire success.
Tell us more about your travel inspiration, is it derived from the places you have visited or is it more a form of metaphorical inspiration
It's honestly a mixture of both. One moment I have an image in mind that shows me that it would make a beautiful scarf. But sometimes I think of a pattern in a color combination, and then I think it reminds me of Lima, and I want to go there immediately.
Do cashmere products and scarves in general have a special meaning and value for you?
Cashmere is my absolute favorite product. It has been all my life. It gives me a feeling of warmth and security. Whenever I find myself in an uncomfortable place in the world or in an uncomfortable situation, the smell and warmth of my cashmere scarf immediately give me the feeling that "everything will be alright". That may sound a little pathetic, but that's the way it is.
What is your vision for the future of EMAAL? Where would you like to see yourself in ten years' time?
Visions are always one of those things. I hope that customers who are looking for an unusual or high-quality cashmere scarf in 10 years' time will automatically say: let's take a look around EMAAL Cashmere.
"We create dreams, because our cashmere scarves tell stories. Let them become yours, that's our dream!"
Alexandra Somlo, founder of EMAAL
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