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M the Movement is a line for the greener thinking
consumer, who feels empowered to strive to live
eco-friendly in every aspect of their life and to do it with
style. Designer Michael Asis Hererra aka "M", creator of
the line, is making headlines for his innovation and global
green approach to men's and women's street-wear.
The letter M in the line stands for the equality of man and
when the letter M is turned over it becomes W, for
woman. The M line is, "Utilizing the very essence of self
confidence and the power of fashion and lifestyle to make
very profound statements of unity."
After 15 years of designing leading brands in both the
European and American fashion markets, M has
witnessed many of the detrimental effects the production
of clothing can have on the environment and his line is a
high-end alternative for attractive sustainable active-wear.
Fashion Q&A met up with the green guru and his awe
inspiring passion for fashion had us asking when and
where we could sign up and join his movement!
You are simply known as M. What single word would
you use to describe the impact of the M Movement on
fashion?
M: M-power ie. empower yourself.
How does M the Movement approach the design
process?
M: M the Movement approaches the design process
differently every season. We do the normal silhouette,
graphic, fabric researching but the true inspiration can
come at anytime from anywhere. It can come from
music, travel , art...or a conversation....really, anything.
consumer, who feels empowered to strive to live
eco-friendly in every aspect of their life and to do it with
style. Designer Michael Asis Hererra aka "M", creator of
the line, is making headlines for his innovation and global
green approach to men's and women's street-wear.
The letter M in the line stands for the equality of man and
when the letter M is turned over it becomes W, for
woman. The M line is, "Utilizing the very essence of self
confidence and the power of fashion and lifestyle to make
very profound statements of unity."
After 15 years of designing leading brands in both the
European and American fashion markets, M has
witnessed many of the detrimental effects the production
of clothing can have on the environment and his line is a
high-end alternative for attractive sustainable active-wear.
Fashion Q&A met up with the green guru and his awe
inspiring passion for fashion had us asking when and
where we could sign up and join his movement!
You are simply known as M. What single word would
you use to describe the impact of the M Movement on
fashion?
M: M-power ie. empower yourself.
How does M the Movement approach the design
process?
M: M the Movement approaches the design process
differently every season. We do the normal silhouette,
graphic, fabric researching but the true inspiration can
come at anytime from anywhere. It can come from
music, travel , art...or a conversation....really, anything.
Describe the conflict in designing a commercial versus eco-friendly line? Can there be a mix of both?
M: I am striving everyday for the mix, a good and sound balance of having both commercial and eco-friendly
elements in my line. So I would say yes...there could and will be more of a mix of both as designers and
manufacturers get more education on the topic and when the stigma of having an "eco-friendly" line being nothing
more than some hippy looking pieces derived from hemp disappears.
You are inspired by art. Who is your favorite artist? And how does such art work inspire you to create
fashion?
M: One of my favorite "Artists" is Bjork. I have a saying, "I am an artist...Really". And Bjork is an "Artist" in every
sense. That is how it inspires me..it pushes my creativity.
M: I am striving everyday for the mix, a good and sound balance of having both commercial and eco-friendly
elements in my line. So I would say yes...there could and will be more of a mix of both as designers and
manufacturers get more education on the topic and when the stigma of having an "eco-friendly" line being nothing
more than some hippy looking pieces derived from hemp disappears.
You are inspired by art. Who is your favorite artist? And how does such art work inspire you to create
fashion?
M: One of my favorite "Artists" is Bjork. I have a saying, "I am an artist...Really". And Bjork is an "Artist" in every
sense. That is how it inspires me..it pushes my creativity.
How does the M line relate to the environment?
M: I utilize more organic fabrics and try to use biodegradable detailing in my
work, i.e. wooden buttons in lieu of plastic, wooden hang tags instead of
metal molds, skins and organic cottons, pima, soybean, charcoal and
bamboo instead of synthetics.
What environment offense has bothered you the most? How have you
addressed this in the M line of both clothes & accessories?
M: The environment offense that has bothered me the most I would say
would be dyes and the harm they cause on the world and humans alike.
This as well as many issues in the art of environmental fashion making is
difficult and tricky because it is still a business and some resources are still
not available. For example, you can use vegetable dyes but are limited in the
colors and quality. So I always say I am working towards complete
eco-friendliness everyday but realistically a 30% eco-friendly line, but 100%
humanitarian. It is always a bit more work to do the right thing.
To whom do you look up in the fashion industry and the
environmental community? How have they influenced or impacted
your creativity?
M: In the fashion industry I look up to Marc Jacobs for his classic designs
and endless creative capabilities to design many lines successfully. In the
environmental community I look up to the industry collectively..There isn't
one particular company that stands
M: I utilize more organic fabrics and try to use biodegradable detailing in my
work, i.e. wooden buttons in lieu of plastic, wooden hang tags instead of
metal molds, skins and organic cottons, pima, soybean, charcoal and
bamboo instead of synthetics.
What environment offense has bothered you the most? How have you
addressed this in the M line of both clothes & accessories?
M: The environment offense that has bothered me the most I would say
would be dyes and the harm they cause on the world and humans alike.
This as well as many issues in the art of environmental fashion making is
difficult and tricky because it is still a business and some resources are still
not available. For example, you can use vegetable dyes but are limited in the
colors and quality. So I always say I am working towards complete
eco-friendliness everyday but realistically a 30% eco-friendly line, but 100%
humanitarian. It is always a bit more work to do the right thing.
To whom do you look up in the fashion industry and the
environmental community? How have they influenced or impacted
your creativity?
M: In the fashion industry I look up to Marc Jacobs for his classic designs
and endless creative capabilities to design many lines successfully. In the
environmental community I look up to the industry collectively..There isn't
one particular company that stands
out in regards to Eco-Friendly designing and manufacturing but those in the industry as a whole
that do their part for an environmental community, i.e. The Gallery or Rock and Renew who
provide venues/events where artists, designers and just simply people..can contribute in their
own way to the cause.
that do their part for an environmental community, i.e. The Gallery or Rock and Renew who
provide venues/events where artists, designers and just simply people..can contribute in their
own way to the cause.
A look from M the Movement's Fall 08' ready to
wear men's collection available at
Fred Segal Men: 420 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA
(310) 394-4787
and online at www.MtheMovement.com
wear men's collection available at
Fred Segal Men: 420 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA
(310) 394-4787
and online at www.MtheMovement.com
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| The M design studio Los Angeles |
You have established yourself as a fashion authority for over 15
years. Looking back, what was your most memorable
professional moment?
M: There were two very memorable moments of equal value. One
would be when I was flying from Mumbai straight to Munich for a
meeting with BMW for the Formula One races after a year of
developing the samples and realizing..I am doing it. I am a designer.
The other most memorable professional moment was when the sign
was up in my building reading : "M...THEMOVEMENT" ..that's when
I realized I CAN keep my integrity with my art and still run a business.
What specific details separate the four M lines?
M: M the Movement is a better priced line for men and women
consisting of luxury designer streetwear separates with a focus on
knits and denims. MVMT is a moderate priced, more trend based line
for men and women consisting of graphic driven separates. The "M"
line is a Mens Suiting Line consisting of fine dress shirts, wool pants,
and ties/belts/accessories. The House of "M" is a line for home decor
and accessories, i.e. sheetings, rugs, diningware, etc.
Your mother is Spanish and Filipina and your father is Spanish
and Chinese. How does such a diverse heritage reflect in your
work?
M: Well, I feel it is evident throughout the line. I have had many people
tell me the line has a definite Asian influence (i.e. Koi fish hand painted
artwork on a jean, wooden scroll hang tags, etc) But many have also
said it is very American streetwear (i.e. colorful graphics, felt
appliques, etc) . So I think how I design is inherently multicultural,
hitting a wider audience.
After a long day in your design studio, where do you like to go to
relax?
M: Ha! This is the greatest question ever !!! :) Well, honestly, I love
to just go home and relax.. I live right on the beach and I love to let the
sea take everything from me..and dilute it in itself.
years. Looking back, what was your most memorable
professional moment?
M: There were two very memorable moments of equal value. One
would be when I was flying from Mumbai straight to Munich for a
meeting with BMW for the Formula One races after a year of
developing the samples and realizing..I am doing it. I am a designer.
The other most memorable professional moment was when the sign
was up in my building reading : "M...THEMOVEMENT" ..that's when
I realized I CAN keep my integrity with my art and still run a business.
What specific details separate the four M lines?
M: M the Movement is a better priced line for men and women
consisting of luxury designer streetwear separates with a focus on
knits and denims. MVMT is a moderate priced, more trend based line
for men and women consisting of graphic driven separates. The "M"
line is a Mens Suiting Line consisting of fine dress shirts, wool pants,
and ties/belts/accessories. The House of "M" is a line for home decor
and accessories, i.e. sheetings, rugs, diningware, etc.
Your mother is Spanish and Filipina and your father is Spanish
and Chinese. How does such a diverse heritage reflect in your
work?
M: Well, I feel it is evident throughout the line. I have had many people
tell me the line has a definite Asian influence (i.e. Koi fish hand painted
artwork on a jean, wooden scroll hang tags, etc) But many have also
said it is very American streetwear (i.e. colorful graphics, felt
appliques, etc) . So I think how I design is inherently multicultural,
hitting a wider audience.
After a long day in your design studio, where do you like to go to
relax?
M: Ha! This is the greatest question ever !!! :) Well, honestly, I love
to just go home and relax.. I live right on the beach and I love to let the
sea take everything from me..and dilute it in itself.
M the Movement designer street wear line
for men and women is comprised of
denim from Japan, cashmere hoodies
from Mongolia, along with organic pima
cotton and alpaca knits from Peru.
for men and women is comprised of
denim from Japan, cashmere hoodies
from Mongolia, along with organic pima
cotton and alpaca knits from Peru.
This detailed utilitarian deep coffee colored leather
bomber jacket with tonal embroidery is a men's must-have
piece for Fall 08'
bomber jacket with tonal embroidery is a men's must-have
piece for Fall 08'
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