Thank you for giving us a glimpse into your super creative and entrepreneurial life!

You have been selling clothes since you were 20, so you have an invaluable knowledge of how to accentuate the best parts of different body types. You also know a lot about which clothes/prints/colours are commercial and which are not. You know your target audience (literally and figuratively) from head to toe.

Design by Mariken. Created in Adobe Illustrator

How important are trends to you? Are trends important to you in determining the collections, or do you determine the composition of the collections mainly because your customers always fall back on certain preferences?

I hardly ever look at trends.

I just look at colours, prints and colour combinations that make people beautiful. What I pay particular attention to is when it will be in the shops and how people will feel at that time. What colours will they be wearing? What kind of weather will it be like? What is their skin tone at that time? What will combine with it? The important thing is to sell the stock as quickly as possible. Not during the sale.

And what about clothing trends? Do you take these trends into account during the design process?

Yes, I take them into account when designing the collection.

Image below: Design by Mariken. Created in Adobe Photoshop

You’re one of the most entrepreneurial I’ve ever met, and that alone makes you inspiring. I have often seen you turn your dreams into immediate goals. This has led you to become not only the owner of a very large fashion boutique and a professional photographer… but now also a surface pattern designer.

How did you realise your desire to sell clothing with your own prints? What steps did you take to achieve this?

Firstly, I gained experience in selling clothes. I also had a lot of experience buying them for a shop where I was the manager. Then I started my own business. In order to do this, I chose a clear target group and built up a knowledge of that target group. The most important thing is to observe a lot, ask questions and show interest in the people around you.

I also made contact with other entrepreneurs all over the country. I always share a lot of experiences with them.

Then I contacted the owners and producers of clothing brands. I established a relationship with them.

I took lessons in surface pattern design and creating fashion flats from Jolieke (Textilice). I practised a lot. I listened and made suggestions to producers, clothing owners and representatives. I showed them what I could do. This enabled me to start working with different people.

Right: Print design and photography by Mariken

So we can conclude: Networking, making contacts and approaching companies was incredibly important to you?

Yes, that’s right. As well as applying the knowledge I have gained and trying things out, it is very important to ask a lot of questions to customers and (fellow) entrepreneurs. In this way, experience and time have helped me to find out who I can work with and what is the best fit for me and my life.

Designed by Mariken for her first collection

Do you have any tips for other designers who might be a little more reserved in their nature than you are?

Make nice prints first. Print the design on good quality paper for presentation.

Next, look for brands that fit your style and brands that you think could be improved.

Offer your services. Let them know what you can do for them. Use your network.

Left: Mariken’s collections include a variety of styles (both organic and graphic prints) to appeal to her entire target audience.

Now that you are designing prints for your store, you can be even more responsive to your customers’ needs. How has this affected the success of your business? Can you see the difference compared to when you were not involved in designing for your store?

Yes, the difference is very visible. People really feel that they are visiting a unique store with unique designs that meet their needs. They feel seen and heard, because their wishes have been carefully considered and listened to. They see it reflected in the collection.

Print designed by Mariken. Photography and styling also by Mariken.

Entrepreneurship is hard work and not a ‘9 to 5 job’. What character traits do you think are the most important for successful entrepreneurship?

– Be passionate about what you do
– Initially give more than you take
– Don’t let making money be your motivation
– Always go the extra mile when you aren’t expected to
– Try a fresh approach to achieving goals and finding solutions
– Keep learning, be open to people and keep trying

Your store “Kunst van het Kleden” is not a typical fashion store, but an ‘experience’ store. A visit to the shop is a real treat. How do you think the concept of “Kunst van het Kleden” differs from other fashion stores?

– My focus is not on selling, but on giving the customer the best experience.

– It is important to have fun with the customer and give an honest opinion.

– I try to analyse what the customer really needs by asking questions and analysing and listening carefully to what the customer says.

– When doing this, it is important not only to listen to the customer’s direct question, but also to make good suggestions yourself that you think are fitting for the customer.

– Tip: Treat your customers like your friends!

Top: Design in a vintage style (with a little bit of humour) by Mariken

Did you have a clear concept for your shop before you started, or did the concept grow on you?

The concept was mainly to make people more beautiful by recommending the right clothes. Taking a close look at what suits their style and figure. But apart from that, it has developed enormously because the target group has grown and we have included menswear. I now have men’s collections with my own designs, like printed polo shirts etc!

What advice would you give to budding surface pattern and fashion designers on how to turn their dreams into reality?

Work for a few years in a fashion store whose style suits you. Look and listen. Find out what people need before you flood the market with things nobody wants or needs :D

Thank you for sharing your experiences!

Follow Mariken on social media!

Facebook: Kunst van het Kleden en Kunst van het Kleden voor mannen

Instagram: kunstvanhetkleden

Mariken with a print that she has designed for the brand Heart

Would you also like to design your own fashion collections? Check our One-to-One Mentoring: Surface Pattern Design using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop or Fashion Flats and Pattern Drafting using Adobe Illustrator.