How it all began - setting up my own fashion label

The Journey from a Dreaming Teenager to Her Own Fashion Label

I think almost every fashion designer dreams of starting their own label one day. For me, it was clear from an early age that I would make that dream come true someday—I just didn't know when at the time.

Even as a teenager, I was very determined once I had set my mind on something. When I was 13, I saw a documentary about fashion design—from that moment on, I knew I wanted to be a designer.

Even while I was still in school, I gained my first experiences through internships in the design departments of major fashion companies, as well as with a seamstress and a milliner. I also took drawing and sewing classes and spent every spare minute on fashion.

Even before I graduated from high school, I called my way through the VOGUE directory and asked numerous German fashion companies what training programs they would recommend for their designers. The result of my little tally was clear: ESMOD Munich. So I signed up for the entrance exam—and passed.

Since ESMOD was considered particularly demanding, I decided to first complete a one-year training program in textile technology and apparel before beginning my studies.

I really enjoyed the training—even though it often pushed me to my limits. My own perfectionism didn’t make it any easier. I still remember days when I worked for three days and nights almost without a break before collapsing into bed, completely exhausted. Sometimes I felt like a Navy SEAL—only in my very own world of fashion. I barely saw Munich during that time, but I learned an incredible amount and made friends who are still in my life today.

After graduation, the job-hunting marathon began. With excellent grades, several internships, and two international design competitions under my belt, I was confident I’d find a job quickly. The reality, however, was quite different. Every year, countless graduates compete for the few design positions available in the industry—so the competition is fierce.

My original dream was Paris. But despite numerous applications, I didn’t get accepted. When I finally went to Paris on my own, the security staff at the couture houses wouldn’t even let me in without an appointment. Instead, one company offered me a job in the sewing department—not the kind of work I had envisioned as a designer.

So I said goodbye to my dream of Paris and focused on Germany and Austria. I didn’t hear anything for weeks. Until one morning, when two companies suddenly called at the same time. I decided to take a permanent position in Austria—a decision that would change my life.

In 2007, my new job took me to Lake Attersee. I still remember exactly how impressed I was by the scenery. Back then, I had no idea that this region would one day become my home.

For nine years, I worked as a designer for an international luxury brand. That time shaped me both professionally and personally. I had the opportunity to develop collections, gain valuable experience, and work with wonderful people.

In 2015, everything changed—and that was exactly the right thing to do

Building a house, getting married, and the birth of our son—in a short period of time, my life changed completely. I never imagined it would turn out this way, but sometimes life just doesn't go as planned.

During my maternity leave, I found myself increasingly drawn to the idea of taking the plunge into self-employment. I asked myself: If not now—then when?

So, after my parental leave, I didn't return to my previous job and founded YOU LOOK PERFECT in 2017.

While my son was at daycare in the mornings, I developed my first collection, looked for manufacturers, planned the online store, and built the business step by step. Of course, there were days when everything had to happen at once—family, house, child, and starting a business. Without the support of my husband and my family, this journey would hardly have been possible.

I couldn't stop thinking about how there was hardly any stylish, high-quality loungewear that you'd enjoy wearing just as much at home as you would when you're out and about.

From the very beginning, it was clear to me that our collections should be manufactured in Europe and that we would place great emphasis on carefully selected materials and close collaboration with our production partners.

That is why we made a conscious decision to manufacture our products in Europe. The geographical proximity allows me to visit our family-run partner businesses in person on a regular basis, get to know the people behind our products, and actively support our collaboration. It was important to me to be able to be on site at short notice whenever there is something to discuss or improve.

The choice of materials also played a key role from the very beginning. The textile industry faces major environmental challenges worldwide. That is why we rely on high-quality natural fibers, manufacture our products within Europe, and make a point of avoiding plastic in our packaging whenever possible.

Step by step, this is how the YOU LOOK PERFECT philosophy took shape—high-quality loungewear made from carefully selected materials, manufactured in Europe, and designed with great attention to detail.

After about a year of intensive preparation, many decisions, and some valuable experiences, the time had finally come: In September 2018, our first collection went live.

At first, it was available exclusively through our online store. Later, it became available at select boutiques—from Hamburg to New York—as well as at various five-star hotels. Today, we sell our collections worldwide through our own online store and on international premium marketplaces.

The dream is slowly beginning to come true.

At the same time, I know that every new chapter brings new challenges. New collections don’t just come together on their own, new customers don’t find us by chance, and a fashion label doesn’t develop overnight.

That's why I continue to work every day with the same enthusiasm as I did on the very first day—on new ideas, new collections, and on developing YOU LOOK PERFECT step by step.

Because that, to me, is exactly what entrepreneurship is all about.