The Wick Culture - Interview Fashion entrepreneur Maria Kastani

Monday Muse

Interview Fashion entrepreneur Maria Kastani

Interview

Maria Kastani

09 September 2024

Interview

Maria Kastani

09 September 2024

Over the past two and half decades, Maria Kastani has become one of the most respected names in British fashion. The London-based entrepreneur has been a leader in the industry bringing major global brands to the UK, ultimately setting up her own venture, Kastani, a fashion and lifestyle incubator to support and mentor startups and designers, as well as beauty brands, while also offering a consultancy service to the luxury fashion sector. Kastani combines her sharp sense of business with her passion for charitable causes and advocacy, including her work with Women for Women International – for whom she curated an exhibition at Somerset House, with custom works by the likes of Manolo Blahnik, Stephen Jones and Simone Rocha And she’s a certified Pilates and Yoga instructor, to boot. With London Fashion week upon us, we caught up with Kastani.

THE WICK: How do you typically start your Monday – is there a morning routine that sets the tone for your week?

Maria Kastani: I love Mondays. You step your foot in them with positiveness and your whole week is mentally sorted. I wake up at 6:15am during the week, drop my daughter off at Victoria station and then I start my day. A nutritious smoothie is my first treat, followed by a session of meditation. I then set my intentions for the week and I’m ready for the day.

TW: As a fashion entrepreneur you are constantly championing design – in an over saturated market what advice would you give to designers looking to stand out from the crowd this fashion week?

MK: Stay true to yourself and avoid following fleeting trends. Understand your core values and let your creativity guide you with determination and great enthusiasm. Recognise your weaknesses and approach your work with commercial acumen. Always consider the environmental impact of your actions, seeking out materials and innovative ideas that contribute to the planet’s well-being and sustainability.

TW: You’ve been involved in remarkable collaborations and major fashion events. Can you share a defining moment that profoundly influenced the direction of your professional journey?

MK: I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with some of the most incredible talents in the creative sector. This is something I have never taken lightly or for granted. From fashion and interior designers to architects, beauty founders, stylists, art directors, and artists, each has profoundly influenced my journey, ideas, and the person I am today.

TW: As an avid art collector since 2005, having curated an exhibition at Somerset House in 2018, and with your involvement in initiatives like The R Collective, how are you seeing art and fashion merge?

MK: Art and fashion have always coexisted in my mind, each feeding and inspiring the other. Fashion serves as a dynamic form of expression, showcasing our feelings, moods, attitudes, and way of living. Art, on the other hand, is our ultimate soul companion, delving deep within to awaken and inspire us.

“Understand your core values and let your creativity guide you with determination and great enthusiasm.”

Maria Kastani

The Wick Culture - LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 01: (L to R) Nicholas Kirkwood, Mira Mikati, Mary Katrantzou, Alice Temperley, Brigitta Spinocchia Freund, Maria Kastani, Sofia Barattieri and Susan Bender attend a private dinner hosted by Maria Kastani for close friends at the newly relaunched Momo on April 1, 2019 in London, England.

Pic Credit: Dave Benett

The Wick Culture - Uwe Henneken, Untitled
2008

The Wick Culture - Maria Kastani's 'Red Manolo Blahnik' Curation

The Wick Culture - Maria Kastani at Frieze

TW: How do you keep your Cretan heritage alive in London?

MK: Crete is more than just a place; it’s a way of life. The island is rich in culture, vibrant colours, tantalizing aromas, and exquisite tastes, all underpinned by a unique ethos and a distinct sense of pride that is unparalleled. In every Cretan home, you’ll find kindness, acceptance, philoxenia (hospitality), sincerity, authenticity, love, compassion, and above all, a zest for living life to the fullest. Throughout my life, I have strived to honour my family’s values and live by them, no matter where I am in the world.

TW: What role does London play in your work, and which culturally curious places influence your creative process?

MK: I adore London. From the moment I set foot in this city 30 years ago, it felt like home. London is one of the most creative cities in the world, brimming with history, ideas, shapes, and colours. Every corner reveals something new and inspiring. I am deeply in love with this magnificent city and all it has to offer. The Royal Academy is a favourite haunt of mine, where I often seek inspiration. The V&A, Tate Modern, The Wallace Collection, and RIBA are also sacred spaces that have greatly influenced me.

TW: Art heist. If you could steal and hang any artwork in your home, which would it be and why?

MK: As an incurable romantic and a great admirer of Canaletto’s work, ‘The Entrance to the Grand Canal’ would have to be my choice for now.

TW: In a fast-paced industry, how do you stay grounded and maintain your creative vision?

MK: I am blessed with a very supportive family that embraces my creativity as an integral part of who I am and who I’ve always aspired to be. My home is my sanctuary, and the place I bare it all out. For me, being honest with oneself, adhering to one’s values, and prioritising kindness are fundamental. These principles ground me and give me the strength and love to seek out more magic in the world.

TW: What’s next for you? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you are particularly excited about?

MK: I’m about to embark on an incredibly exciting fashion advisory role at the end of September. Additionally, I have two other lifestyle projects in the pipeline, all of which will be announced in due course.