Tell us a little about MLGA and your role? Like, why did you start the company and what motivated you?
MLGA was founded in 2023 in Copenhagen. The name MLGA represents my initials: Marie-Louise Guldbæk Andersen. I’ve always known that I wanted to create my own brand someday – though it happened a bit sooner than expected. Shortly after graduating from the Danish Royal Academy of Fine Arts, I was selected for the prestigious Alpha Award (formerly Designer’s Nest) and was honored with the Official Browns Fashion Prize. This led to a collaboration with Browns Fashion in London, where I developed a collection that was later sold in their store. That opportunity quickly accelerated my journey, and from there, everything moved fast.
My official title is Founder and Creative Director, but behind the scenes, I wear many hat – designer, sales, production, finance, HR, social media manager, and more. Thankfully, I have the invaluable support of my amazing interns - couldn’t have done it without them.
What motivates me the most is the feedback and appreciation I receive from people who wear my designs. It’s deeply rewarding to know that there is both a desire and a market for what I’m creating.
MLGA’s design aesthetic explores the balance between femininity and masculinity. The brand aims to create a new creative universe within menswear – one that embraces femininity in a bold, alternative, and unexpected way. It is essential for me to understand who I’m designing for and to ensure that every piece carries a clear sense of purpose.
Is it both mens wear and womens wear?
We began as a menswear brand and still primarily identify as such. Although we never intentionally set out to design for women, our pieces have naturally evolved to be worn by all genders. In that sense, the answer is both yes and no – our designs are meant to be inclusive, but they are built on the foundation of menswear construction, sizing, and fit. While the aesthetic resonates broadly, the technical aspects – such as pattern cutting and proportions – remain rooted in traditional menswear tailoring.
Do you have a favorite piece? There’s no shame in picking multiple pieces<3
Being a designer is a curious journey – sometimes you fall completely in love with your own creations, and other times you feel frustrated, eager to move on to something new. But often, with a bit of distance, that initial affection returns. Interestingly, it’s often the pieces that were the most difficult to create –the ones that felt like a real challenge and pain in the ass to sew – that end up becoming the styles you value the most.
For me, that piece is the long suit jacket/dress with a dramatic long train and a smaller dress attached at the side. The concept behind this design is that it's a reinterpretation of a wedding dress – essentially, a male version. It’s a deconstructed fusion of a suit and a traditional bridal gown, merged into one statement piece.
It took a significant amount of time and effort to bring it to life, and it’s definitely a showpiece – something you wouldn’t wear on an ordinary day. That’s why we also created a more wearable version: shorter, cleaner, and thoughtfully detailed, so that it can be worn both as a jacket and as a cape. I love when a garment can be worn in multiple ways, and this piece is definitely one of my favorites.
What was the hardest piece to make and how many hours did you spend?
The most challenging piece to create was a hand woven suit from my first collection. The textile itself took 11 full workdays to complete, as it was entirely hand woven, with each structure, yarn and pattern carefully chosen. Once the textile was finished, it took an additional week to sew the entire suit. Every component was meticulously cut and placed to ensure there was enough material to construct the full blazer and pants, requiring precise attention to detail at every step.
What was the inspiration behind your latest design/or collection?
The collections are always a continuation of the previous ones, maintaining a coherent narrative. That said, each collection introduces a new core inspiration – whether through textiles, silhouettes, or detailing – bringing fresh perspective while staying true to our design identity.
Our 05th and latest collection – The Craft represents the next step in the evolution of menswear in the eyes of MLGA. Building on established design DNA and reputation, this collection reflects a commitment to craftsmanship, sustainability, and creating timeless designs for men.
MLGA aims to redefine and challenge traditional norms within menswear by blending masculine and feminine elements. This vision comes to life through self-developed textiles, traditional knitting and weaving techniques, and carefully curated deadstock materials.
The result is a collection that prioritizes beauty, durability, and versatility.
With The Craft, we embody our dedication to merging innovation with tradition, creating a menswear universe where artisanal design takes center stage.
You have a showroom in CIFF Village. What does it mean to be a part of this community?
Being part of the CIFF community means a lot! One of the biggest advantages is always being surrounded by other creatives – each with a distinct identity, yet sharing common ideals and challenges. It's incredibly valuable to have a supportive network where you can exchange advice on everything from VAT and production to borrowing tools or simply sharing a glass of wine and discussing the realities of working independently in a demanding industry. There's a strong spirit of collaboration, and we often draw on each other’s skills. On top of that, it’s just great to be right where the action is during fashion week.
CPHFW Fashion Week is just around the corner – what are you looking forward to this season? Are there any tendencies that you are keeping an extra eye on? And is there anything we should keep an extra eye on?
This is actually the first time in the past five years, that I’m not presenting myself or assisting others brands/designers with their showcase during fashion week. That’s why I’m especially looking forward to experiencing it fully – without the pressure of a heavy deadline over my head.
Overall, I’m just really looking forward to seeing what all the brands have been working on – especially the craftsmanship behind their collections.
