Jeramiah Irwin, @jerairwin
The Jersey City–based designer attended Afropunk for the first time last year, and the festival’s accepting ethos made him come back again this year. “I love festivals in general, but this one to me is so different. Everyone is so friendly. There’s no judgment,” he says. “It’s really true what they say—the no sexism, no homophobia here.” And given the opportunity to fully express himself, Jeremiah chose a denim corset and ripped jeans that were inspired by the pop-country music he’s been listening to. Says Irwin, “I was going to wear a cowboy hat, but I’m saving that for later.”
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MUMI HAIATI
Agency Founder
Having spent 10 years abroad, Haiati worked as a freelance creative consultant in London, Barcelona, New York, and Paris. Throughout these experiences, he collaborated with a wide range of brands and artists. In 2011, he relocated to Berlin, where he founded his namesake brand and one-man show, which would later evolve into Reference Studios in 2017.
Contributor: Adam Katz Sinding
Published March 2025
What would you consider to be the most impactful moments in the development of Reference Studios, and how have these moments or achievements shaped the direction of the agency?
The launch of course. And the first edition of our cultural Reference Festival in 2019, which came as a complete novelty in the industry and beyond, and set the tone for the future of the agency as a whole. In late 2022 we would fundamentally help to conceive the all-new RIMOWA Design Prize, whose 3rd edition is planned for 2025. In February 2024 we launched Intervention, a runway format within Berlin Fashion Week that is committed to supporting Berlin design talent.
Having scaled your agency for well over a decade how do you ensure that your brand meets industry demand while staying true to its roots?
Our brand authenticity consists both in the zeitgeist as well as in a set of core values and craftsmanship. As long as we maintain these, we also meet ever-changing industry demands.
Q&A
How has the evolving intersection between technology and the creative industry influenced your approach to innovation and the work you do?
The intersection between technology and our industry has allowed us to launch our very own brand of fragrance with the Dutch tech start-up and AI perfumer Every Human. Reference Times is a collaborative olfactory platform that premiered at Dover Street Parfums Market this past fall, with an AI-powered machine residency program.
What has your career journey taught you about yourself?
Taste cannot be challenged. And that I have a reliable eye for potential.
If you could get one message out to the industry, what would it be?
Back to the drawing board.
Q&A
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