Katrin's journey from Mustamäe to Paris: finding the courage to challenge herself

Some decisions change your whole life.

When fashion designer Katrin Aasmaa moved to Paris five years ago, she had no idea whether it would become her new home or simply an important chapter in her life. She just knew that she wanted to find out whether the knowledge and experience she had gained in Estonia would hold up in a completely new environment.

Although Katrin now works as a freelancer, her CV also highlights her time at KENZO, one of the world’s most famous fashion brands, where she designed men’s suits and formal wear. Her journey, however, did not begin in Paris, but rather in Mustamäe district in Tallinn.

‘Become someone’

Fashion came naturally to Katrin even as a child. She grew up surrounded by clothes and began creating her first collections while still in school. It was her mother who suggested she try her hand at men’s fashion.

‘Look, nobody makes men’s clothes,’ recalls Katrin, recounting the words of her mother.

That marked her entry into a world that she still finds compelling. Today, she designs men’s formal wear in Paris, but her mother instilled in her another idea that has proven even more important than her profession.

‘Become someone.’ That phrase has stayed with Katrin for nearly thirty years. Not as a call to fame, but as an encouragement to make something of your own, to think for yourself, and to put your whole heart into it. Katrin’s perception of what it means to ‘become someone’ has changed over time, but her desire to devote herself to her calling has remained the same.

Paris as a litmus test

Even though things were going well for Katrin in Estonia – she had her own fashion brand and a rewarding career – she came to realise that she wanted to challenge herself. ‘I wanted to see if I could also make it in a totally new setting,’ Katrin explains.

Photo: Silver Mikiver

This prompted her to go to Paris on an exchange study programme. She went on to do an internship at the Givenchy fashion house and later started working there. Katrin now works as a freelancer, but thinking back, she hardly considers moving to Paris and working at KENZO some sort of daring feat – rather, she sees it as a natural step for someone who has always wanted to grow.

According to Katrin, she has always been the kind of person who voluntarily steps forward when there is something new to try. She defines courage not as the absence of fear, but as willingness to move forward even when the final outcome is still unknown.

Success is not about reaching the finish line

Over the years, her understanding of success has evolved.

Winning the Hõbenõel (Silver Needle) prize, moving to Paris, or working for a high-end fashion house once seemed like ultimate goals. Today, Katrin considers them more like checkpoints. In her view, as people grow, so do their goals. Having the courage to let your goals evolve over time and to trust your instincts is every bit as important as the destination itself.

This is the same mindset that has helped her push forward even in the most difficult moments. Knowing that you have tried your best is more important than having a perfect plan.

When the whole world becomes home

When your life is split between Estonia and France, you tend to have different expectations of your bank.

Photo: Silver Mikiver

Katrin says that it was her international lifestyle that made her realise she expects more from a bank than just an account. She can tell that Premium is perfect for her. She wants payments, insurance, and daily financial affairs to just work: quickly, reliably, and without unnecessary red tape.

This leaves her with more time for the things that matter most, i.e. her creative endeavours, new ideas, and taking on new challenges.

Watch the portrait video of Katrin, created by Silver Mikiver during a spring week in Paris:

The concept author, creative director, and technical producer of the ‘Estonians of Six Cities’ is Silver Mikiver (TRACE Studio). The series is filmed on Super8 format and the photos are captured on 35 mm film.

‘I am moved by craftsmanship and the realisation of potential. With my projects, I wish to inspire and provide an impetus for more people to choose the most authentic and unique path. Walking your own path is not always easy, but for me, it is the only truly rich way to live,’ Silver Mikiver says.