Berlin brand Monamobile is making wearable tech sexy again

In an algorithm swamped by looksmaxxing content and AI fruit affairs, it’s hard to catch anyone’s attention for longer than a single second – but Monamobile doesn’t seem to have that problem. The Berlin-based label posted its latest wearable tech inventions on Instagram earlier this month, and thousands of people went mad for them, proving good old-fashioned creativity can still cut through. The design in question was a prototype of the brand’s screen heels, which are six-inch white pumps fitted with an LED light strip that displays scrolling text. Soon after, the brand followed them with a pair of hoop earrings in exactly the same vein. “We connected flexible LED screens and programmed them so you can display any word in any effect directly from your mobile phone,” says Mona Gutheil when I speak to her over email. 

After leaving fashion school in 2023, Gutheil and Monamobile’s co-founder Maximilian Benz met during a post-grad internship from hell (the location of which they decline to mention). While Gutheil studied fashion design at UdK (Berlin University of the Arts), and prefers the conceptual side of design, Benz is an alumnus of AMD (Akademie Mode & Design Berlin), so “actually knows how to make those ideas technically work.” Their practice focuses on translating tech into subversive, wearable fashion, such as their Mobile Phone Chastity belt, the Samsung x Monamobile Selfie Heels with a detachable selfie stick, plus a pair of heelless Pleasers that project a ‘Monamobile’ spotlight.

In the conversation below, we caught up with Guthiel to talk about the pair’s recent viral moments, their Mount Rushmore of fashion designers, and turning a dog into a ‘Barkin Bag’.

Where does your inspiration come from?

Mona Gutheil: From gadgets and everyday consumer products that promise a function but often become obsolete after only a few uses. We’re interested in placing them in a different context, where they can regain their value while exploring the tension between function and dysfunction.

How would you describe your work in three words?

Mona Gutheil: Mobility, multifunctionality and modularity.

How did you make your Screen Earrings and Screen Heels?

Mona Gutheil: We connected flexible LED screens and programmed them so you can display any word in any effect directly from your mobile phone. We then wrapped them in perforated leather, carefully aligning every perforation with the LED matrix so that each individual LED remained visible through the material.

For the prototype alone, we punched more than 1200 holes by hand. Safe to say we won’t be doing that again, so the final version will be laser-cut! The biggest challenge is integrating the wiring in a way that keeps the pieces fully functional while remaining wearable.

How did it feel to see them go viral on Instagram?

Mona Gutheil: It feels surreal, and we’re grateful. Instagram can give small designers a much wider audience. But virality comes and goes. A thoughtfully designed product lasts much longer.

What was the idea behind your beer bottle belt dress?

Mona Gutheil: Serving!

Tell us about the ‘Barkin Bag’ you made.

Mona Gutheil: The Barkin Bag was originally conceived as a small social experiment. It sparked a huge backlash because people were outraged by the idea of a dog being turned into a handbag. Most people instinctively empathised with the dog, but overlooked the animal that was made into the leather handbag itself.

By shifting the context, we wanted to expose that contradiction and question the value we assign to different animals. Once the debate settled, what remained was a functional object – padded on the inside and open where it matters – designed for everyday mobile life for you and your pet.

Do you make seasonal collections or just drop your clothes when you make them?

Mona Gutheil: We don’t think in collections or seasons. Instead, we’ve built our own calendar: one new thoughtfully designed product every month, resulting in 12 cross-seasonal pieces a year.

Now for some quickfire questions… What’s a fashion holy grail you’re yet to get your hands on?

Mona Gutheil: Sweatpants from Karl Lagerfeld.

What’s the last TikTok you saved? 

Mona Gutheil: This bracelet that doubles as an alcohol flask.

You’re trapped in a lift with your celebrity crush – who is it, and what are you wearing?

Mona Gutheil: Skrilla, JT’s dog. Coincidentally, wearing the Barkin Bag.

Send the most recent picture/screenshot on your camera roll.

Mona Gutheil: Upcoming Mobile Slip Clip fitting pictures – but you’ll have to wait until next Sunday.

What’s your weirdest clothing ritual?

Mona Gutheil: Our design uniform is sweatpants. We honestly can’t remember the last time either of us worked wearing real pants…

What’s a fashion hill you’ll always die on?

Mona Gutheil: Being friendly.

If you could change one thing about the fashion industry, what would it be?

Mona Gutheil: Being paid more.

Which four designers are on your Fashion Mount Rushmore?

Mona Gutheil: Definitely Ines Kaag and Désirée Heiss of Bless Service, Hussein Chalayan, and product designers like Joe Colombo for his approach to functional, modular design.

What fictional character do you most relate to?

Mona Gutheil: Inspector Gadget.