MENSWEAR’S BEST DRESSED: THOMAS WIRSKI OF STREETWEAR BRAND MISBHV

Polish-based streetwear brand MISBHV has risen from the streets of Warsaw to international acclaim, by becoming one of the most talked about contemporary labels since starting out as a t-shirt line for an inner circle of models, artists, rappers, and skaters.

Known for its sophisticated fusing of Post-Soviet cool, street-inspired silhouettes and retro touches, it has gone on to offer fully formed contemporary men’s and womenswear collections with designer Natalia Maczek and creative director Thomas Wirski at the helm it has become a truly international label stocked in over 50 of the world’s leading retailers as well as being available through its online shop at misbhv.com.

To get to know Wirski better, we recently caught up with him to discuss his personal style, what inspires his style and brand, and some of the challenges he has experienced while building the business.

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Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Everyone is a product of their personal history and immediate surroundings – so am I. Music particularly made me into a person that I am today and I think that reflects in my style. I don’t like to scream with clothing but I like to give subtle hints on my story, beliefs, political stance and so forth.

Q: Is there a specific person or thing that inspires your style?

A: When I went to New York first at the age of 18 I bought Steve McQueen’s biography at a flea market in Brooklyn. I came to like his persona and style. If there was one guy that ever looked good in clothing, it was him. Another great personality whose confidence and nonchalance translated to personal style was Miles Davis. His autobiography is one of my favorite books and a must read for anyone vaguely interested in music. Both examples show that true style comes from personality, character and charisma.

Q: How does your personal style influence your collections for MISBHV?

A: Style comes from personal experience and attitude – and I hope that translates into the line. I imagine making pieces that a 19-year-old version of myself would wear to a club. I also believe that the design – no matter if cheeky, confrontational or political – needs to come from a real place.

Q: For those who aren’t familiar, what is MISBHV known for? What’s its signature style?

A: In terms of the men’s line for me it is the snake skin cowboy boot, a well-made stone-washed t-shirt and a heavy shearling jacket.

Q: You travel all over the world for your brand, in your opinion, where do you go for the best selection of menswear?

A: Tokyo for vintage menswear and Paris for vintage womenswear.

Q: Having recently launched menswear, what has been the consumer reaction to it? What are some of the goals with this line?

A: Menswear has been very strong with us for a while now – especially since a lot of cool girls buy the men’s line as well. My personal goal is to make high-quality, cool, smart product across all segments – from footwear to accessories to tailoring.

Q: What have been some of the challenges you’ve experienced while building your business?

A: To me personally, coming from a streetwear modus operandi where you design on Monday, print on Tuesday, shoot on Wednesday and sell on Thursday, completely instantaneously, it was moving to the fashion calendar of presenting and delivering structured collections in given time frames. We are a very small, family business still and things take time.

Q: What is one of your most memorable moments you’ve had while building your business?

A: Actually moving from “streetwear” to “fashion” with our first showroom in Paris where we’ve met buyers that took the risk and bought into a completely unknown brand from somewhere in Eastern Europe. I am always moved remembering meeting my now favorite buyer from Antwerp that was the first to buy Margiela back in the day, also one of the first to carry Vetements right when they started – as well as MISBHV. Growing the brand and taking it to the next level would be impossible without people like her.

Q: Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

A: The best piece of advice you will ever receive is to believe in yourself. It is a very simple rule that transcends to everything in life.

Q: Since retail is in the midst of a rough patch, what do you think retail will look like in five years? What needs to happen for retailers/brands to be successful?

A: I think it is a very exciting time for retail. There are more stores than ever, they look and feel amazing. I think that more focus needs to be put into writing our own, unique stories – both in regard to brand as well as stores.