Brands & Designer:

Adidas Essentials // Amaena x Keineckers // Angermaier Trachten // Anthi // Claire Luise // Gate194 // Krüger Dirndl // Marina Hoermanseder x NYX Cosmetics // Monka Muki Berlin // Nicolas Dudek // On Running // Sandra Lambeck // Sony Music’s W1ze // Kaufhaus Steffl Wien // Syrup // Vendetta Fight Nights // Yagut

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Künstler:

Baci // Bibiza // Chefket // Mavi Phoenix // Monet192 x Badchieff // Musso // Patrice // Selassie

Rod Mambakasa, born in 1994 in Salzburg, is a versatile photographer and designer whose career is shaped by creative experimentation and a deep connection to urban culture. After completing his education, he trained as a kinder garden assistant, but by the age of 18, he began to focus on fashion. He experimented with design techniques, specializing in customizing leather jackets. In 2012, he founded his own fashion label, *Smiles Clothing*, where he worked as the creative director and designer. He organized numerous fashion shows in Vienna, including the pre-party for the Vienna Fashion Week at Naschmarkt, and collaborated with Adidas.

Following several personal challenges, Mambakasa turned to photography, purchasing an analog camera through “Willhaben” and teaching himself through hands-on practice. His passion for photography started even earlier, in 2010, when his mother bought him a camera on installment payments. Later, a friend handed him a digital camera, and he began focusing on fashion photography. For Rod, photography is an energetic art form that reflects his deep connection to the streets. His sharp eye for urban life is captured in his work, giving his photography a unique authenticity.

Describing himself as a "soulcatcher," Mambakasa sees photography as a way toimmortalize fleeting moments, particularly in the face of personal struggles. He attended various fashion weeks, where he focused on capturing street looks and the dynamic atmosphere surrounding the events, highlighting the urban style and culture of the attendees.

During his two years in Berlin, he collaborated with well-known artists, such as accompanying “Chefket” on tour and producing music videos, including for “Musso”. He also worked behind the scenes for artists like ”Patrice”, “Badchieff” and “Monet192”. As a creative and executive producer, he brought his artistic vision to life across different media. His work has been published in prestigious magazines such as *Vogue*, *Kaltblut*, *OE Magazine*, and *JNC*, solidifying his reputation as an emerging talent in the creative scene.

In 2024, Mambakasa returned to Vienna to reconnect with his roots—"Back to the Roots." There, he joined Ziehenberger Talents, a collective of creative minds, where he continues to contribute his experience and artistic vision. Rod Mambakasa remains a unique artist, whose deep connection to street culture brings a distinctive perspective to the worlds of photography and design.©norakahn