A LOVE STORY WRITTEN IN REINDEER LEATHER
Reindeer leather is one of the finest materials in the world, known for its unique qualities.
Mariela Pokka’s exclusive leather creations reflect precisely these characteristics.
Based in Rovaniemi, Finland, Mariela Pokka has always had a great passion for fashion.
As a demanding customer herself, she has an exceptionally sharp understanding of what is available on the fashion market – and what is still missing. For this reason, Mariela has always sought opportunities to apply new and unique ideas to the world of fashion.
She intuitively understands her clients’ expectations and constantly seeks new sources of inspiration for her designs.
“Because I love leather above all, discovering the natural beauty of reindeer leather has truly exploded my imagination, inspiring me to design all kinds of new creations.”
— Mariela Pokka
Interview with Mariela Pokka
DeLuxe: When did you first see and fall in love with fashion?
MP: I fell in love with fashion as a little girl. I used to design stylish fabrics and accessories for my paper dolls. At a young age, I began sketching designs that expressed different clothing combinations for myself and my family, since some of them came from various countries.
My mother and father are from Venezuela and Germany. In my veins runs Venezuelan, German, Polish, and Spanish blood from the Canary Islands. This heritage has given me a rich cultural background, which has also broadened my overall vision of fashion.
My love for fashion is as strong as ever. Fashion is my life, and it has even helped me live my dream.
DeLuxe: What brought you to Finland, and what made you interested in Finnish materials?
MP: Love brought me to this wonderful country. I met my husband in London, where I was studying. I fell in love with him — and through him, with Finland.
He later introduced me to the full richness of Finnish nature. Having grown up in a city environment, Lapland and Northern Finland have given me a completely new kind of inspiration for designing clothes.
Because I love leather above all else, discovering the natural beauty of reindeer leather has literally ignited my imagination, inspiring me to create entirely new designs.
DeLuxe: How would you describe your unique fashion brand?
MP: Our products represent the high fashion segment: luxurious garments and accessories made from reindeer leather, combining classic and casual styles.
My collections include, among other things, gloves, leather jackets in various colors, short and long pants, dresses, tops, and timeless coats. I want to offer my customers something they have never seen before.
DeLuxe: What makes reindeer leather such an interesting and special raw material?
MP: In my opinion, reindeer leather is the finest leather in the world because of its unique properties. It is silk-like, lightweight, incredibly soft, strong, and durable — feeling as elegant and pleasant against the skin as it looks.
Some top designers have used reindeer leather in their work, but many have wanted to keep its special characteristics as their own secret to avoid being copied. Still, I must say that I see reindeer leather as the very core of my brand and its essential raw material.
Our goal is to showcase the distinctive beauty of this leather in a magnificent way — and to allow both me and my clients to express our individuality and inner creativity as authentically as possible.
DeLuxe: Who are your main clients?
MP: Fashionable and sophisticated women who want to emphasize their beauty and femininity. My female clients know exactly who they are and what they want to express through the way they dress.
About Mariela Pokka
Inspiration: Finnish nature, multicultural heritage, and the timeless beauty of natural materials
Based in: Rovaniemi, Finland
Specialty: High-fashion creations made from reindeer leather
Text by Juhani Nurmi – Photo: Kaisa Sirén