Written by Menswear Style in Interviews on the 16th September 2021

OBLIVIOUS? is a ready-to-wear clothing brand with a focus on the positive power of questions, made responsibly in Europe. They believe questions have the power to build closer relationships, make better decisions and learn more about ourselves and the world around us. Their aim is for clothes to spark conversations, help you self-express, as well as inspire you and others to ask more questions. The brand was set up by a mother and daughter duo, based in Germany and the UK, who share a seemingly never-ending sense of curiosity. Over the past few years, the founders have learnt a lot about the impact of fashion on our planet, so they knew they had to do their best to ensure that garments are produced more responsibly. All OBLIVIOUS? garments come in limited quantities - with the first collection being made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton.

In a recent episode of the MenswearStyle Podcast we interviewed Jacqueline Mozanowski, Co-Founder of OBLIVIOUS? about the founding story of the brand she started with her mother and operating from different countries, Germany and the UK, and during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Both had a keen interest in fashion and would often fantasize about starting their own brand together. After obtaining a marketing degree in London, Jacqueline had the drive to include a sustainability focus to the brand. Our host Peter Brooker and Jacqueline talked about manufacturing and production challenges, what it’s like working with family, the power of asking questions, and what's next from the brand.

“I am originally from Germany, but I've been living in London for quite a few years. I founded the company with my mother, and we've been on this journey for a little over a year now. We've always talked about starting a brand together and I think my earliest memory of this was when I was around nine years old, and I remember talking about making up a brand. I did a master's degree in marketing here in London and we somehow got talking about the idea of Questions because we’re very curious people. This got us thinking about why there wasn’t any brand that focused on the power of questions. So, we launched the brand in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic and our first collection was made in Romania, but we are now actually shifting production to Portugal."

"When we are children we ask so many questions, and as adults we ask much less in fear of looking like we lack knowledge. What happens when you're asked a question is your brain is stimulated and you release serotonin to make your brain relax and think about an answer. This is so powerful that unless you consciously decide to disengage with the question, you will want to answer the question. This is the power of questions; it makes you stop and think about something, and we can utilise this so much in our own lives to make better connections with other people. Asking questions helps us learn more about ourselves and the world around us.”

This is a shortened transcribed edit of episode 130 of the MenswearStyle Podcast with Jacqueline Mozanowski, Co-Founder of areweoblivious.com. You can listen to the full version below or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast player.

We sit down with Jacqueline Mozanowsk of OBLIVIOUS? clothing to discuss the power of questions and 100% GOTS certified organic cotton.