An interview with artist and fashion designer Mayka Finkelstein Amrami

After stumbling across Mayka Finkelstein Amrami’s fascinating work we could not wait to find out more about her. When she agreed to have an interview with us, we were brimming with excitement to discover what her label Love Mayka is all about.

What made you first start out in this field?

I don’t really know! I’ve always wanted to be a fashion designer since the age of five. I grew up in a very artistic surrounding as my father was a painter and colours were always a way to express your feelings. I used to love drawing princesses with these crazy coloured dresses and my nanna still has them to this day.

What have you done to get yourself into fashion?

I finished my BA (Hons) in Fashion Design in 2005. Before that I was working for film and TV making props, so it was a natural progression to go back to TV, theatre and video installations and get involved with costumes and one off creations. For a while there I did work as a “commercial designer” developing denim and t-shirt samples for a company in China. There was a turning point when I arrived in London when I was exposed to the fantastic art scene. It completely blew me away. I started drawing like crazy everywhere I could. That is how I got involved with prints and textile design. I am pretty much self-taught in that area. A friend taught me how to screen print and then I went to work with a couple of textile studios here. I made samples for the Premiere Vision in Paris and other textile trade shows. I was also given the opportunity to work for Mirjam Rouden (who used to design all the textiles for Christian Lacroix) which was amazing for me as she let me be who I really am. She left me to my drawings and my designs and it was then that I noticed I had something different to other designers.

What is Love Mayka all about?

It’s about making people feel comfortable being an individual. It’s about bringing colour into our life. I noticed that on the days I wear colour I feel much happier and so do the people around me.

Your work is absolutely beautiful. Where do you draw your inspiration?

Thank you! That’s very kind of you. My inspiration is mainly drawn from various contemporary artists such as Picasso, Erte, Richard Hamilton, Roy Lichtenstein and more. I am also very much inspired by the performers in my life – most of them are ballet dancers at the Royal Ballet, who I was fortunate enough to meet and work closely with.

What are 3 things you simply cannot live without?

My son, my Apple Mac computer and colour.

2011 saw your first exhibition around theatre and performing arts – Can you tell us about that?

I have been working with the ballet dancers for over 5 years now and the exhibition was my way of sharing my impressions as well as their beauty with the world. 

What is your favourite item in your wardrobe?

I have about 20 pairs of leggings that I made as samples to see how the prints work. Each pair is so different and I love them all. I always get so many comments about them even from strangers. People seem to love them.

Can you give any advice to our readers who want to start a career in fashion?

Follow your heart and find your own special thing out there.

Is there anything planned for Love Mayka in the up-and-coming months?

I am in the process of producing a collection that is unique and accessible limited edition art pieces. 

Kellie Griffiths

If you can’t wait until Mayka’s next collection is released, you can discover more of her work here.