“Creativity is a second nature, design is a passion and business acumen skills are acquired by an interest of learning the trade”, Marianthy Pospiech, Managing Director of MdP Fashion Consultants.
Marianthy boasts over two decades of extensive industry experience, having collaborated with renowned international brands across New York, London, and various European locations. Throughout her dynamic career, she has actively sought and embraced opportunities on both continents, cultivating a profound understanding of diverse global markets within the fashion and retail industry.
As a passionate designer and astute business entrepreneur, Marianthy's love for art and fashion is paralleled by her recognition of the pivotal role played by commerciality in a collection, the essence of a brand's DNA, and the inherent appeal of a product to the customer. Her philosophy towards crafting a successful collection is grounded in a two-fold approach: firstly, a comprehensive understanding of the market and consumer behavior; secondly, the innovation of designs that resonate with the customer's desires.
Having pursued her education in Fashion Design, Product Management, and Business Management in the UK, she embarked on a pivotal work experience year in 1997. During this time, she ventured to New York, where she initially served as a merchandising management trainee for the esteemed fashion retailer Express (Express Inc of Limited Brands). This experience allowed her to gain valuable insights beyond fashion design, offering a broader perspective on the industry before committing herself wholeheartedly to it.
In the latter part of that transformative year in New York, she delved into the intricacies of the fashion world from a different vantage point. Starting at the grassroots level, she assumed the role of an assistant designer for a manufacturer specializing in multi-licensed brand childrenswear. It was during this period that she was introduced to the realm of Computer-Aided-Design (CAD), marveling at the rapid adoption of design technology within the US industry compared to its European counterparts.
A year following her arrival in the United States, she made the decision to return to the UK to conclude her bachelor's degree. The influence of her transformative year in New York resonated deeply in her 1999 bachelor thesis, which delved into the future of the retail industry. Her research, ahead of its time, specifically honed in on the emergent concept of online retail, a relatively novel form of commerce at that juncture. Despite facing skepticism, she ardently believed in the potential of online selling as the future of retail. However, her foresight was met with significant criticism from her professor, who dismissed her thesis as akin to "science fiction."
Having spent the preceding year in New York and witnessing the remarkable advancements in design technology within the US apparel industry, she was unequivocally convinced that this was the ideal starting point for her career. Upon graduating, she made the decisive choice to return to New York, where she dedicated several years to working as a fashion designer for diverse global US brands spanning various market sectors.
While many designers chose to specialize in specific categories, Marianthy adopted a different approach. Rather than confining herself to niche areas, she embraced the role of an all-category and all-product designer. This decision allowed her to foster flexibility in her creative endeavors and design, facilitating an expansive knowledge base across a spectrum of product areas. Her commitment to versatility not only broadened her skill set but also enhanced her career opportunities and fueled her passion for continuous learning.
In 2004, Marianthy made the strategic move to London, collaborating with several renowned high-street brands on design and product management. Noticing that Computer-Aided Design (CAD) in fashion design was still in its early stages in Europe and underutilized, she took it upon herself to introduce its transformative potential to numerous brands across the continent.
By 2010, Marianthy had established herself as a sought-after designer, with her creations featured in esteemed fashion publications like Harper's Bazaar, Men's Health, and various trade journals. In 2011, she found a new professional home in Germany, where she lent her expertise to several German brands and retailers, contributing to both design and buying management. This period enriched her with a comprehensive understanding of buying and category management, spanning both European and US markets. Leveraging her prior experience in the US, she successfully opened new markets for German brands.
In 2020, Marianthy took a significant step in her career journey by founding MdP Fashion Consultants, a fashion design and product consulting agency serving global brands and retailers. Her agency has become a hub for the exchange of industry knowledge among like-minded business partners.
Throughout her career, Marianthy has made remarkable strides, working across all divisions of Menswear, Womenswear, and Childrenswear. As an all-rounded product designer, she has left her mark in both the apparel and accessory markets, excelling in design, product management, and buying management. Commencing her career as an assistant, she has embraced the values of teamwork, progressing over the years to manage and direct teams on both large and small scales. Marianthy's journey stands as a testament to her dedication, versatility, and continuous pursuit of excellence in the dynamic world of fashion.
Below are the brands & retailers she has worked or continues to work with over the last 23 years.
US. Markets
Guess Inc. – Harley Davidson – Wilke Rodriguez – Alfani (Macy’s) – Plugg – Fila – Nike – US Expedition – Mossimo – Abercrombie & Fitch.
European Markets
Arcadia Group / ASOS / Boohoo (Dorothy Perkins, Top Shop, Miss Selfridge, Wallis) – Phase Eight – Coast – New Look - Marks & Spencer – Kookai – Jane Normann - Lee Cooper – C&A – Galeria Kaufhof – Ernsting's family - Beeline Group (both European & U.S. markets)
Marianthy's collaborative prowess extends to esteemed figures in the fashion and entertainment industry. She has joined forces with German designer Wolfgang Joop and American model/actress Cindy Crawford on multiple occasions, contributing her expertise to various womenswear design projects.
In the realm of menswear, Marianthy has engaged in creative collaborations with acclaimed American actors Benjamin Bratt, Bobby Cannavale, and Michael Weatherly. These collaborations were part of the private brand, Wilke-Rodriguez, showcasing her versatility in designing for prominent personalities.
Beyond individual collaborations, Marianthy has also been an integral part of high-profile fashion events, where her skills have shone alongside American entertainers. Notable figures include the late Leon Hall of E! Entertainment, Penthouse Pets Nikie St. Gilles and Juliet Cariaga, and producer-actor Frank Krueger. Her involvement in these events underscores not only her ability to collaborate with industry icons but also her keen eye for creating memorable fashion experiences alongside celebrated personalities.