Perhaps you have heard of a luxury fashion brand called MCM. MCM Studio in Johor Bahru might just surprise you. Let’s uncover the story of this globally recognized brand.
MCM stands for Modern Creation München. It started in 1976 in Munich during a time of bright lights and disco. Michael Cromer founded it.
The brand quickly became known for its logo-printed material called Cognac Visetos. You will see a brass plate on most MCM items. Each plate has a unique number.
In 1993, MCM had 250 stores worldwide. Its sales reached 250 million dollars. But in 1995, Cromer faced tax evasion investigations. This led to financial instability.
In 2005, Sungjoo Group from South Korea bought MCM. At that time, global sales were at 100 million dollars.
Sungjoo Group hired Michael Michalsky in 2006. He relaunched the brand with a new store in Berlin. Stores then reopened in major cities like New York and Tokyo.
MCM celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2016. They commissioned Tobias Rehberger for a special collection.
In 2017, MCM created a design studio in Milan. By 2018, they presented their first full clothing line at Pitti Uomo.
Dirk Schönberger joined MCM in 2018 from Adidas. He built design studios in Berlin, Seoul and Milan.
Tina Lutz and Katie Chung became the creative leads in June 2023. Lutz works in Milan and Chung in Seoul.
MCM has partnered with other brands. They worked with Marchon Eyewear and Marcolin for eyewear. They also launched a fragrance with Inter Parfums in 2021.
Many famous people have been in MCM campaigns. Cindy Crawford, Billie Eilish and Cara Delevingne have all been faces of MCM.
MCM’s logo combines its name with a laurel leaf. This leaf is a symbol of victory. The Visetos print is its most famous design. The brass plate ensures each product is unique.
Diana Ross loved MCM in the 1980s. In 1996, Cindy Crawford posed with an MCM bag for an ad.
Artist Tobias Rehberger created an art installation in Hong Kong in 2016. British designer Christopher Raeburn designed a collection with MCM in 2017.
Misa Hylton became a creative partner at MCM in 2018. MCM also collaborated with Puma and BAPE.
MCM aims to be sustainable by 2030. They are using organic cotton and recycled materials. They launched their first fragrance in 2021.
The brand introduced a new Cubic Monogram and collaborated with SAMBYPEN. MCM even created a 3D-printed E-Bike with URWAHN.
MCM partnered with Crocs and Looney Tunes in 2022. They launched the Mode Travia collection in 2023.
From its start in Munich to its global presence today, MCM has a rich history. It continues to innovate and inspire. It is a story of luxury and creativity.