HHV Portraits

Mary

HHV Portraits show members of our community dressed and styled by themselves to show their true character. From leather footwear to sneakers and slip-ons, hoodies to mohair and parkas, our community is dressed to impress. Working in fashion, finance or freelancing, we will highlight different individuals monthly and share the versatility our community has through their thoughts and feelings about where they are, what they are wearing, and much more…

Who are you, where are you from, what do you do – and what do you do when you’re not working?

I’m Mary – born and raised in Vienna, with my Croatian working class roots having deeply shaped who I am today. My path has always been about strength and real connections: I used to work in an addiction care facility and as a boxing trainer, helping people find their footing and power and today you’ll also find me working as a bouncer in Berlin’s nightclubs, holding my ground.

When I’m not working, I chase that same vibrant energy whether I’m stepping into the ring as a competitive kickboxer, seeking high-adrenaline thrills like driving fast, or balancing it all out by rescuing animals, walking my dog, and enjoying long, late-night dinners with friends.

What inspires you to be completely yourself and to dress the way you do?

Growing up somewhat traditionally as a woman, I was surrounded by so many societal rules and expectations. What truly inspires me to be completely yourself is breaking out of those patterns and having the freedom to live life on my own terms. Through a lot of inner work and breaking these molds, I found my way back to myself and who I really am and that liberation is exactly what inspires my style and the way I dress: authentic, unapologetic, and just me.

Sneakers, boots, or runners – what do you prefer to wear and why?

I definitely prefer sneakers because I always have to be prepared and ready for whatever is coming. But I also love the feeling of walking in boots like cowboy boots and instantly feeling like a sheriff taking charge.

Which Berlin neighborhood best matches your style?

I don’t like putting myself into boxes, neighborhoods, or any kind of labels. Most of the time, I just roll in tracksuits though sometimes I love mixing it up by pairing a tracksuit with boots. It’s definitely not Mitte, Charlottenburg, or Prenzlauer Berg for me. So if I really had to choose, it would probably be Kreuzberg.

What’s next for you?

Standard procedure: upcoming competitions and relentless training. But right now, my biggest focus is on nervous system regulation, learning to be a little less hard on myself and allowing more gentleness into my life.