Four years ago, Kathrin Frick came to Mallorca for what was meant to be a temporary escape during the Covid lockdowns. She never left. Today, she lives with her three children on a dreamy finca in the island’s southeast, surrounded by donkeys, sheep, and hidden coves. It was here that she founded StrawShoesBlondHair, a lifestyle brand born from planning her Mallorcan wedding and inspired by the island’s laid-back spirit. What began with a simple idea — straw shoes as guest gifts — has grown into a label that celebrates joy, colour, and positivity. In this interview, Kathrin talks about the leap from Berlin’s fast-paced fashion world to Mallorca’s slower rhythm, raising children by the sea, and why she believes this island has a way of capturing you forever. Tell us about your background. I was born in Berlin in 1981, and I truly love that city. It never sleeps — it’s vibrant, cosmopolitan, and full of life. Hardly anyone who lives in Berlin is actually from there, which makes it even more special. I wish more people would take the time to visit Berlin instead of only traveling to London, Paris, or Milan. Many of my international friends tend to visit other major cities more often, and I feel like Berlin still hasn’t fully made it onto their radar. My parents raised me to be very independent. Nothing was ever done for me. Instead, they taught me to be strong, to move through life with confidence, and to always look ahead – even when things weren’t going well. My mother passed away when I was still very young, just finishing school. I lost my best friend, my mother — and that’s something only those who have experienced it can truly understand. I went to school, studied, and worked in Berlin, mostly for fashion brands, which has always been my passion. I’ve always loved aesthetics, beautiful things, and the creative energy of the fashion world. I’m also a mother of three wonderful children — Jonas (15), Coco (13), and Bella (9) — and yes, time really does fly! How and why did you move to Mallorca? It was during Covid, when our three kids were stuck at home doing online school. One day, we heard the news that travel restrictions to Mallorca had been lifted, and my husband immediately said: “Kathrin, rent a house! Let’s go — the kids can do school from there!” So we flew to Mallorca and started looking at fincas. We went back and forth between Ibiza and Mallorca, but Mallorca won us over. Now I live here permanently with the kids, while my husband still spends most of his time in Berlin. Once you’re here, it’s very hard to ever leave. Why Mallorca? Mallorca is an island you can truly enjoy all year round. In winter, Palma is stunning, and the island is so big that even after four years, I haven’t seen everything. We also loved the flight connections to Germany and the fantastic network of doctors, craftsmen, and professionals.  Where do you live, and what makes it special? We live in the southeast of the island, surrounded by a nature reserve, donkeys, sheep, and some of the most beautiful coves in Mallorca. When summer ends and the island becomes quiet again, it’s magical. We can reach the sea in five minutes with the golf cart, and it’s such a wonderful place for the children to grow up. After Covid, space became very important for us, and we found it here. How did StrawShoesBlondHair begin? It all started in 2017, when we were planning our wedding in Mallorca. I wanted something authentic and stylish for the guests’ gifts and came across straw shoes. They felt perfect, and that’s when the idea for StrawShoesBlondHair was born. The project paused during Covid — with three kids at home, there was no time — but now that we’re back in Mallorca and the children are older, I have the energy and passion to make it grow again. I truly love what I do. What’s the concept behind the brand? StrawShoesBlondHair is about joy, colour, courage, strength, and positivity. The world can feel dark sometimes, and I believe in celebrating beautiful little things — things that make people smile, that everyone can afford, and that instantly lift your spirits. What do you enjoy most about your work? Meeting new people. Every day brings the chance to connect with someone new. You broaden your horizons, learn from others, and grow a little more with each encounter. What are you most proud of? My children. They’re strong, confident, and true fighters. I believe that in today’s world, we need to raise our children to be resilient and independent individuals. It’s not always easy — three kids really are a handful — but they are absolutely wonderful.  What are your thoughts on the protests against mass tourism? I understand the frustration, but I also think we should remember Covid and how deeply people here suffered when tourism collapsed. It’s a difficult balance. How do you find the relationship between Germans and Mallorcans? We’ve only met kind, welcoming people and never felt any rejection. Of course, I know there are also Germans who can be difficult — you have to see it from both sides. What are your plans for this year? I have a few trips coming up, and I’m excited to continue growing StrawShoesBlondHair. Beyond that, I hope for health, happiness, and peace for my family and friends. What’s your goal in life? To raise my children to be happy, strong, and confident, and to use StrawShoesBlondHair to bring a little more beauty and positivity into the world.