Not too long ago, when I still didn’t have an office space of my own, I was often working from ‘Betty n’ Catty’ cafe, at Knaackstrasse. That’s how I came across MDC cosmetics’ display windows. It was love at first sight.
Even before coming in, it was clear to me that there’s a very talented and meticulous mind/soul behind this business. It’s absolutely beautiful. Every tiny detail is thought through, every color, shape, material were carefully and lovingly chosen. Just walking in this shop made me feel better. Over the years I became a regular customer and recommended it to friends many times.
It wasn’t difficult to recognise the soul behind MDC. The minute I saw Melanie at the store one day, I knew she’s the one. Her style, her calm energy, intelligence, actually, she looked to me like an artist..
So, once I started “cooking” the idea of FRAMED FEST at the Wasserturm (just across the street from MDC), I decided to approach Melanie and offer her some kind of collaboration. Although MDC is a commercial cosmetic company, and we are a cultural non-profit, I believe that we both share a passion and dedication to the importance of beauty and art in life.
MDC has supported this festival and we are so grateful for this new friendship. While working on this project, I was curious to know a bit more about Melanie. Here are some questions I asked her, and her answers (spoiler – Wasserturm Keiz recommendation at the end):
Yael: Would you say you are an artist? Was my intuition correct?
Melanie: I wouldn’t describe myself directly as an artist for my respect for the arts and specifically for artists is way to high. I could never do what they achieve. My favorite art form is photography. I adore the late Larry Sultan. I love Mitch Epstein who is still alive. Thank god. And of course I do love music — which brought us together, dear Yael. However, when it comes to MDC I do everything more out of intuition. So I try to transfer the concept of cosmetics and brands into a beautiful environment, even when choosing the colors, furnishing the shops and so on, which you might not normally associate with a concept slightly different.
Yael: How would you describe MDC’s Moto/Values/Vision?
My vision is to create a place where people can really regenerate and recharge with all their senses. That they enter here, see beautiful things, are surrounded by an incredibly pleasant ambience. And then, of course, in the treatment rooms, there is also a treatment that gives you back as much energy as you would like, even if you come for a cosmetic treatment. In the past twelve years rest has become a key resource for urbanites. At the core of MDC I would simply love to provide some rest from the outside world.
Yael: When and How MDC was born?
I founded the company almost single-handedly in that small shop opposite the Wasserturm which still is up and running. Up to this day almost twelve years ago in this year`s September I was working for Andreas Murkudis as his general store manager. But I felt there was a need for another high end shop for beautiful things and care products which at that time was non-existent in Berlin. So I had to do it myself.
Yael: What is Beauty to you?
Melanie: To be happy, to be content with yourself, to be at peace and at one with yourself. In other words, harmony.
Yael: All these years here in the Wasserturm neighborhood, have you ever been inside the Kleine Wasserturm?
Melanie: No, never. I can’t wait to find out!
Yael: Could you please recommend to our FRAMED FEST visitors to other interesting businesses, good restaurants or just special benches to sit around the Wasserturm Keiz? Some inside information about the hood?
I’d recommend a walk through the Jewish cemetery, which has just been growing over for decades now. It is an incredibly beautiful site and also conveys a great sense of peace with itself.
My favorite restaurant on the corner would be Bangkok Bites. Authentic and therefore spicy but molto delicioso.
And if you want a good coffee early in the morning, I can recommend Brekkie on Rykestrasse. Opulent toasties, too that are all the rage on IG at the moment. Expect a crowd.
Written by Yael Nachshon Levin
