Guido Maria Kretschmer: Guido Maria Kretschmer talks about the material of his life

Guido Maria Kretschmer, 60, is celebrated as a designer for his fashion creations and in the public eye for his humor and charm. Since 2012, he has been a presenter and judge on the show "Shopping Queen," making a name for himself in the German media landscape. He is distinguished not only by his expertise in styling, but also by his instinct for interpersonal relationships. In an interview with BRIGITTE, he reveals how he came up with the idea for his new podcast and where his passion for fashion began.

BRIGITTE: In your new podcast "feinstoff", which will be released on September 25, It's a lot about interpersonal relationships, your community, and various guests. How did you come up with the idea of ​​doing a podcast now?

Guido Maria Kretschmer: I've known for a long time that I was made for this medium. I'm very verbal, open, and enjoy conversation. I quickly bond with people and am also transparent with what I tell them. I like subtle people. People with stories that are delicate and cautious, yet also carry a material quality within them. I owe my entire life to material. The subtle materials, but also the coarse ones sometimes. I knew right away that I would call the podcast "feinstoff."

What makes the podcast different from others?

In "feinstoff," there will also be solo episodes of me, and I will invite people who are important to me. There are no topics that are left out. I'm not an interviewer who just asks questions and runs through things; instead, I actively contribute myself to the conversation. The guest episodes always revolve around a piece that someone brings along: a textile that has made real sense in their life. This often helps me understand who people are. I always say: Clothing is the skin of the soul.

Do you have a similar item of clothing that you brought with you?

Yes, I brought one with me too. A small corduroy jacket that I bought with my mom when I was 14. I took it with me to Italy, to Ibiza, on every vacation. I danced the night away in it, always styling it in different ways—with a scarf, with a sweater underneath, with a tank top. I never gave that jacket away. My mom always said, "Guido grew up with this jacket."

How did you discover your passion for fashion?

I developed my passion for fashion through my grandmother, who was very textile-savvy. I saw what happened to women who wore proper clothes. That's when I realized that fashion is a vehicle. My mother wanted to sew when I was nine years old. She wasn't particularly enthusiastic about the sewing machine, though, and she wasn't particularly good at it. But I heard this tick, tick, tock. And then I saw this little light. I said to my dad: "Look, that's my headlight." And that was perhaps the first headlight of my life—this little light from this little machine. I never sewed anything for myself. Always for others. It's remained that way to this day.

Was it difficult for you as a man to say: I'm now starting a career in the fashion industry?

No, not at all! I grew up with wonderful parents. I could have been anything. My parents were free. They knew who their children were. They knew who I was from a very early age. They were always proud of me.

Did you have role models?

I was a huge fan of Karl Lagerfeld. And I was lucky enough to get to know him. Wolfgang Joop was a great role model. I got to know him well, too. I was a huge Valentino fan, but also of Bill Blass. I admired Vivienne Westwood. Alexander McQueen has always been the greatest of them all for me. And even today, I still see young designers who inspire me.

Brigitte