Mika'Ela Fisher

Tailor

©Yutaka Yamomoto

©Chryopras Films_mika ela photos

©Yutaka Yamomoto

Crossing all boundaries

Mika’Ela sees garments as a sculpture
She directed a feature on the art of tailoring
She took part in the World Congress of Master Tailors in Paris

Mika'Ela Fisher takes the art of tailoring into new directions. At the crossroads between sculpture and architecture, her approach to garment-making goes beyond clothing: it becomes art, “sculptural sartorial art,” as she says. Drawing on her in-depth understanding and technical mastery acquired from over ten years of training, she explores applying men's suit tailoring methods to women's bodies. In addition to classic made-to-measure pieces, Mika'Ela creates experimental designs, where the textile becomes a sculpture in its own right. German-born, Mika’Ela trained in Münich under three different masters, including a meaningful time at the haute couture house Max Dietl, and moved to Paris after qualifying as a master tailor. Since then, she has consistently evolved her artistic approach, honoring her craft by introducing it to new art forms.

Interview

©Chryopras Films_mika ela photos

©Yutaka Yamomoto

What first led you to the tailoring craft?: I first went to Milan with the intention to study fashion design, but when I was told that it was better to have some knowledge in sewing, I returned to Germany, and found an apprenticeship with a master tailor. I was amazed by all the work that making a suit involves.
What fascinated you about it?: For me, this craft is not at all boring, even though it often is perceived as such. It requires a great technique, which is to me like building a house. You have a plan, a model, then you build the house, always following horizontal and vertical lines, as you build up the shape to fit the body. It is like being an architect of textiles.
What allowed you to evolve beyond the artisanal path?: My debut in Paris was a very liberating step in my career. I had just acquired my master tailor's diploma, and opening a boutique allowed to me to dive into creation. It gave me new freedom, and somehow released me from the strictness of the craft. The city also opened me up to other artistic talents.
How did the three masters you trained with influence your approach?: My masters have in common to have worked for the German house Max Dietl. I took from each of them what suited me. With the basics learned, I was able to experiment with shapes and materials. I worked day and night, for my clients and on my creations. Exploring an artistic process thus enabled me to reach further than my masters.

Mika'Ela Fisher is a master artisan: she began her career in 1993 and she started teaching in 2000