What are the trends this year and how does Mara respond to those trends?

Trends are predominantly related to the sports look, and feature simplicity and clean lines. Stripes are often used, e.g. those lateral stripes on the trousers, such as those once used on track suits. Etnic Boutique Mara follows the trends by the selection of new technology fabrics, and here, I would put an accent to neoprene. However, irrespective of the trends, ethno is always present in the opulent design, such is gold embroidery, and that is the “niche” where we can always get along.

Which is the greatest strength of the Mara Ethnic Boutique brand? And what messages embedded in the items are dearest to you?

The power of our brand is in the genuine union of the tradition and the urbanity. The wealth of our folk costumes and heritage is a great and inexhaustible source of motifs so it allows us to constantly be innovative and new. We still most like the messages such as August Šenoa’s “Budi svoj” (“Be yourself”), Ivan Gundulić’s ”O lijepa, o draga, o slatka slobodo” (“Oh beautiful, oh dear, oh sweet freedom”) and “Hrabri ljudi” (“Brave people”) wich is our internal message.

Photo:Goran Stanzl/PIXSELL

How proud you are that public figures opt for your design and to what extent it additionally complements to recognisability?

We are very proud that public figures wear “Mara” and thus promote the Croatian design and the Croatian rich cultural heritage, and certainly, this adds to even greater recognisability of the brand.

You are currently preparing for a show in Germany. How long have you organised shows outside Croatia and what is their main purpose?

We have been outside the Croatian borders for several years now. Thus, inter alia, we have toured Switzerland, Italy and the United States with our fashion shows. The goal is promotion of the richness of textile handicraft and our brand. Within an evening, with good music, I also give a small lecture on ornaments and motifs. With every creation, I give explanation where that motif comes from or what is written on a shirt, etc., and the lines are worn by our, local girls who willingly respond to that.

Photo:Goran Stanzl/PIXSELL;

How do visitors of such shows abroad react?

Positively, and that is what incites us for such shows. They are visited by Croats in those countries as well as friend “foreigners” and business partners. What I really like is the pride in the eyes of our people, as well as that foreigners like what they see at the shows, which is the Croatian heritage. We are also proud when, e.g. in the United States, we are stopped in the street and asked where we have bought our coat. That indicates that what we do is good and does not recognise borders, whereas our clients have been the Ambassadors of the Croatian clothing souvenirs in the world for years.