Gina Lee Schmitt - AMD Akademie Mode & Design

Mycæra – AMD Akademie Mode & Design

Mycæra is rooted in the idea that identity is shaped by invisible yet powerful networks.
Inspired by the subterranean structure of mycelium, the collection draws parallels between these biological systems and the psychological networks of Freudian psychoanalysis. Sigmund Freud understood the self as a layered construction, shaped by unconscious drives, repressed memories, and latent associations that continuously interact beneath the level of consciousness. Like mycelial networks, these psychic structures are not linear but interconnected – branching, overlapping, and influencing one another in complex ways. The collection understands identity as a networked process rather than a fixed state. Structure becomes the conceptual foundation of Mycæra, with the garments functioning as visible manifestations of an invisible system. The hidden network is not decorative but structural – an organizing principle that defines silhouette, material choices, and surface treatments. The collection is dedicated to everyone – especially my parents – who have shaped, supported, and accompanied me on the path to becoming the person I am today. To every unconscious thought, every hidden impulse, and every quiet memory that has worked beneath the surface and guided me step by step to this moment.

I am Gina Lee Schmitt, 24 years old, and through my studies in fashion design I have fulfilled a childhood dream that has accompanied me for as long as I can remember. The aspiration to become a designer was already present in my early friendship books, long before I was able to define or fully realize this path. Throughout my studies, my creative process has continually evolved. I need time to fully immerse myself in a project, but once I do, I work with strong focus and consistency, carrying ideas through to their completion. My greatest challenge lies less in generating ideas and more in refining them – in simplifying, editing, and making clear, deliberate decisions about direction. Aesthetically, I have always had a distinct design style: feminine, relaxed, edgy, yet refined and elegant. In my working process, I tend to come across as calm, reflective, and reserved. I prefer to let results speak for themselves rather than putting myself in the foreground. I like to approach many steps in the design process independently and develop ideas on my own before sharing or discussing them further. At the same time, I am very determined, resilient, and remain consistently committed to projects once a clear direction has been established – even when things become more intense or require a great deal of perseverance. Fashion is my central driving force. To me, it is a visual language – a way to express identity and to make emotion, history, and personality visible through form and design. If a look does not feel right, the overall feeling is often off as well. This enthusiasm becomes especially visible at events – for me personally wearing new outfits and intentionally styling looks is always the highlight and the true moment of anticipation.