MYCITY | MUNICH WITH CHELO

 

"Music, fashion, and community aren't separate worlds in my head, just different ways of expressing the same feeling."
Photography by No Celentano

For the MYCITY Munich edition, we caught up with Chelo, a multidisciplinary artist whose work weaves in music, fashion, and community-building. Based in Munich yet connected to a wider international network, Chelo represents his own singular approach to contemporary culture: one built on atmosphere, connection and longevity.
 
Through his platform thatboii and his work as a DJ, designer and organiser, Chelo creates spaces for people to gather around sound, material and shared experience. His approach values reduction, depth, and presence. It’s a mindset shaped in part by Munich itself: a city whose creative energy unfolds in smaller circles, where patience and precision often outweigh speed.
 
That sensibility resonates naturally with MYKITA’s own design philosophy. In our conversation, Chelo reflects on the parallels between rhythm and form, the importance of honesty in both music and fashion, and why meaningful creative work often begins in moments of stillness rather than momentum.
 
What emerges is a portrait of a creative who isn’t chasing the next scene, but quietly shaping one.

"Munich taught me patience. Things move a bit slower here but that also gives you space to build something with depth."

Your creative journey spans music, fashion and community formats under thatboii. How would you describe the connective thread that runs through all these worlds?

Chelo: For me it’s always about creating spaces. Sometimes that space is a room where people listen to music together, sometimes it’s a piece of clothing, sometimes it’s a moment. Music, fashion and community aren’t separate worlds in my head. They’re just different ways of expressing the same feeling. I’m interested in how people connect, slow down and experience something together. That’s the common thread.
 
Munich is often seen as a quieter creative scene compared to Berlin or London – but the energy you generate feels different. How does Munich shape your work and how do you feel it compares with other cities you’ve played or worked in?

Chelo: Munich taught me patience. Things move a bit slower here but that also gives you space to build something with depth. You don’t have to be loud all the time to be present. Compared to cities like Berlin or London, Munich feels more intimate to me. Smaller circles but stronger bonds. I think that shaped the way I work. Focused intentional and very community driven.

Chelo wears sunglasses SATIN in Pine Honey, customised into an optical frame by the MYKITA Munich store.

Design and music both rely on rhythm and pattern, but express it in very different ways. What are the “design principles” you carry with you from one medium to the other?

Chelo: I’m very drawn to reduction. In music that means letting a song breathe and trusting the emotion instead of overworking it. In design it’s about clean lines good materials and clarity. Timing is important in both worlds. Knowing when something is finished and when it needs space. If it feels honest it usually works.
 
Your playlists, DJ sets and fashion work all feel like they tell stories without words. When you think about your favourite place in Munich –  be it a street, a bar, a studio – what mood or memory does it conjure for you?

Chelo: For me it’s less about one specific place and more about the conditions around it. I have an office where I work and create but I also value cafés and time with friends. At the same time I’ve learned that too much input can become distracting. When I really want to be creative I need space for myself quiet moments and music. That’s where ideas come naturally and feel true to me. 

"Especially in music the challenge is to create moments that encourage people to really listen again." 

Design is often about solving problems or asking better questions. What’s a creative problem you’re currently obsessed with, either in music or fashion?

Chelo: I’m very focused on creating experiences that feel valuable and honest. Especially in music the challenge is to create moments that encourage people to really listen again. More consciously more intensely. To slow down and connect with sound on a deeper level. In fashion I’m still searching for ways to create pieces with real depth that feel meaningful and not just decorative. Finding that balance is something I think about a lot.
 

If you could choose one MYKITA frame that feels like a soundtrack or character in your life, which would it be and why?

Chelo: It would be the MYKITA SATIN frame. It has a slightly thicker presence and feels grounded without being heavy. For me it carries something soulful and calm, almost jazzy. Creative but not loud. A frame with depth and character that doesn’t chase trends but grows with you over time. That’s very close to how I approach music and everything I build around it.
 

Looking ahead, is there a project, release or collaboration that feels like the next chapter for you? What makes it exciting?

Chelo: The next chapter is about expanding what I’ve built without losing its intimacy. Taking existing formats into new spaces and collaborations while keeping the core idea intact. That’s what excites me. Evolving naturally while staying connected to where it all started.

A beautiful old theatre in Munich serves as the location for the artist's vinyl cinema session.

Thank you Chelo for sharing your time and perspective with us.

MYKITA Munich is renowned for its expert consultation and personalised optical service – visit the store at Am Kosttor 3, in the city's central shopping district.