MANOKHI SETS A HIGH BAR FOR THE FASHION WORLD WITH THE MOST OPULENT MATERIALS IN THE GAME

BY SARAH DE BRUN

Designer Madalina Lalu has made two things very clear to me. One: she insists that we all should do what we love and love what we do. (Take it from this young girl from Romania who followed her passion and made dreams become reality.) The second: the importance of a brand’s integrity, a quality she pursues with pseudo-fanaticism in her Manokhi line of fine leather clothing and accessories.

Out of the box, she explains how a company will naturally evolve and be creative, and that the challenge comes in remaining authentic and true to its roots and original spirit. (“It’s about continually reinforcing who we are as a brand and always finding new opportunities instead of trying to blow something out for the moment,” she explained.) So how does Lalu keep her company of luxurious leather pieces relevant?

Here’s the lowdown…

Her early days saw the designer as an apprentice for a craftsman in Romania. There, she learned the ins and outs of creating with leather and grew to appreciate that using this material was a new world compared to the usual fabrics found in fashion. Just a year ago, with her knowledge bucket full and determination in full drive, she founded Manokhi. Currently the label consists of a team of six who share the same devotion and values for the designs they create. Real passion shines through to the client, and the designer is aware that her customer will make investments on how well the pieces reflect their own self-image.

“Our designs became popular very fast because of their quality,” she said, “but also because of their shapes and how they play on the lines of the body.”

Handcrafted in a factory in Bucharest, each Manokhi creation is constructed from opulent leathers Lalu collects from France, Italy, and Spain. Seeking out this best of the best is simply in keeping with her allegiance of providing customers with things they will own and love forever.

“In the new world we are living in, the authenticity of a brand becomes critical,” she added. “Not only because its uniqueness helps to differentiate it from the many alternatives, but also because the consumers value ‘reality’ in a world flooded with imitations and staged experiences. Being honest as a brand truly differentiates you from competitors.”

Lalu ensures that designs also maintain practicality and find purpose within a customer’s lifestyle. There is a sophisticated structure to Manokhi’s jackets, pants, and dresses that makes them timeless and easy to wear year-round. A handful of accessories—including harnesses and chokers—provide an additional bit of tongue-in-cheek that works well with the more refined designs. The brand is known for long-lasting quality and keeps an open mind for new trends. Most recently, a collaboration with Kristina Dragomir introduced a line of retro hats that offer a frisson of fun to more serious wardrobe staples.

“I always gain from that sort of collaboration,” Lalu said with a smile. “You always learn from them. It is very interesting to have your working boundaries and goals set from another point of view.”