Michael Michalsky

Michael Michalsky, born on 23 February 1967 in Göttingen, is a German fashion designer. He is the founder and head designer of the fashion label Michalsky. He is also the creative director of the luxury handbag manufacturer MCM since 2005. Besides his fashion business, Michalsky runs the agency Michalsky DesignLab, which offers design services. Today, Michalsky is considered one of Germany’s most influential designers.

Michalsky studied at the London College of Fashion. After university Michalsky started his career as design manager at Levi Strauss & Co. in Germany. From 1995 until spring 2006 he worked at adidas AG where he held the position as Global Creative Director for six years. During this time, Michalsky initiated and developed cooperations and product lines with the fashion designers Yohji Yamamoto and Stella McCartney as well as with Rap musician Missy Elliott. He was also responsible for the re-launch of older adidas products in a "Retro-look“.

In May 2005 Michalsky was approached by the Korean luxury group Sungjoo with the task to revive the tarnished fashion brand MCM. Michalsky holds the position as Creative Director at the luxury goods brand with German heritage until today.

In 2006 Michalsky founded his fashion and lifestyle company Michalsky Holding GmbH in Berlin. In January 2007 he launched his first fashion show in the city hall Rotes Rathaus. The designer presents the latest collection of his label Michalsky twice a year during Mercedes Benz Berlin Fashion Week.

Besides working for his own label and the brand MCM, Michalsky also designs sportswear collections for the company Kappa China since 2009. Kapa China belongs to the Chinese sporting goods group Dongxiang.

Michalsky’s main source of inspiration is music. Michalsky's fashion range is broad and diverse as he creates fashion for various segments: premium apparel, sportswear, bags and accessories. His own collection Michalsky belongs to the high fashion segment and combines classic styles with streetwear influences.