"Actually, I never had the plan to start a fashion label - I didn't start Lala Berlin in 2004 with any intention. My brand was born purely out of the joy of knitting. At that time, wrist warmers and cuffs were in fashion and all my friends suddenly wanted them. There was so much positive response to my knitted models that I thought: So there is something I can give to my fellow men. Before that, I had worked as a stylist and editor, among others for MTV, and after a strenuous phase, I allowed myself a longer break in which I spent a lot of time with myself. During this spiritual time, knitting had something meditative for me. Today there is still knitwear at Lala Berlin, but knitwear has not been the core of the brand for a long time. But the passion has remained - just like 17 years ago!

"Maybe it's in the said origin of Lala Berlin that it's about aligning with women's needs - that's what I love most about my brand. That we create something that brings joy, that makes life more beautiful and comfortable. That's why it's so important to me that all my designs are easy and uncomplicated to wear. If you wear Lala Berlin, you shouldn't have to ask yourself whether your look is now inappropriate or too much. Flexibility is always a particular concern for me in design."

"Probably above all that of being a lone fighter - after all, I started Lala Berlin without investors (the first ten years) or anything like that. That wasn't always easy. Also because I've always had a bad feeling about how stuck the fashion industry is in many aspects: the elitist, exclusive things don't suit me at all. But it was also a great challenge to break that up. I've never been much of a rule follower, which is probably why many people still see me as a rebel. In general, there are not many women who start and run their own businesses, men are still in the majority. Going it alone as a woman is still a kind of act of resistance in the patriarchy. In my private life, the birth of my daughter, who is now in her early teens, has also changed a lot, as it does for every mother. A lot of things are seen in a different perspective now, some things are simply: no longer so important."

"Our digital world, which envelops us 24/7, knows no boundaries and thus none between work and life. 'Work is Life' and 'Life is Work'! My 'trick' is to enjoy both equally and draw energy from them!"

"It works great, but only with a great team that is empowered! Equal focus and dedication is important with regard to the members of the team, in terms of topics you can then prioritise and get involved where your experience is most in demand and needed."

"From the joy of each new day that can be used to make things happen; from the knowledge that our products create health and quality of life and are therefore of real and lasting value; and last but not least from the fact that our strategic path into the future is fully supported by the stakeholders of our company."