For those perpetually in search of a little sartorial freshness, Stefanie Biggel is a designer to watch. The 31-year-old, who originally hails from Zurich, spent a year in London before deciding to live and work in Athens, and is in the midst of building a successful brand built on desirable separates that are imbued with the fluidity of youth, gender and contrasting mediums. In essence, it’s the perfect collection for ‘generation Y’ – with references spanning Kurt Cobain and Larry Clark films to political correctness and superstar celebrity; the latter a jumping board for her latest collection, ‘Hysteria’.

Here, we speak to Stefanie and showcase some exclusive, never-before-seen images of her creative process for the new season.

You trained in Basel, Switzerland – how was that? What kind of cultural stimulation does it offer?
The education at my university was really good. Also in terms of handcraft. This was always very important to me. That’s why I still make all the samples myself. It’s part oft he design process for me. On the other hand the town was very small and I wanted to leave at a certain point and move on. I can’t be in the same place for too long. This has changed a bit since last year. It was really good for me to move to Greece and slow down a bit.

Stefanie Biggel

How long did it take you define your own aesthetic? Or is it still evolving?
I feel like it’s constantly evolving in a way. It suits my personality. But after seven collections and reaching a certain age I can express myself a lot better and speak out what I don’t like. I’m more relaxed. When you’re insecure people from the industry always try to push you in a certain corner, try to form you. I know about my insecurities and they belong to me and my work. It’s okay to not be perfect.

Descriptions of your work often include the word ‘boxy’ – what is it about this silhouette that appeals to you?
‘Boxy’ ist just one of many silhouettes. They all interest me. One day I feel like wearing a unisex look, the other day I wanna show my body. It depends on the mood and can change constantly.

An exclusive preview from the ‘Hysteria’ collection

Androgyny is a continuous theme throughout your collections – why is that? And how do you think it contrasts with some of your more feminine details?
I like experimenting with contrasts and don’t want to create these categories like what’s ‘feminine’ or not. To be a woman has so many different aspects that can’t be described easily. This is what interests me the most. It’s very intuitive.

Exclusive images of Stefanie’s studio

How many people work on your collections? Are you very hands-on in every aspect of the business?
Yes it’s basically just me. I like collaborating with people and share my ideas with them but when it comes to making the actual sample collection, I’ll do it myself. I used to have interns in the past but I sometimes have a very specific idea of how things should be made. I prefer having an assistant that’s evolving with me but moving cities so many times made this difficult. Since my goal is not to make huge collections it somehow works out for me. I simply love working with my hands. But I definitely need people around me like stylists, photographers, and textile artists to create that vision together.

Of course I know a lot about the proper business part too, but I prefer having a showroom agent than selling the collection myself. They’re just more experienced and the whole networking thing is massive. I wouldn’t be able to do that myself.

The ‘Homesome’ presentation in Paris

Who is the most well-dressed person you know?
Basically everyone that is authentic in their wardrobe choice.

Do you wear your own pieces?
Yes, a lot.

Have you been inspired by another designer over the years? If so, who and why?
I wouldn’t call it inspired but there are of course brands I like a lot. Right now it’s Vetements for that new spirit they brought into the industry. I like people that want to change something and not strictly follow the rules.

The ‘Homesome’ presentation in Paris

Who would you most like to see wearing your pieces?
Real women that like to change and evolve and like to have fun, are serious, have to struggle and find their way in life.

How would you describe your customer?
My customer likes clothing of good quality that you can wear for any occasion and throughout the year.

Do you think that business acumen is as important as creativity in launching your own label?
Yes totally. It’s a proper business in the end and you often can’t afford paying someone to do these things for you in the beginning . But I still think the most important thing is to know the right people from the industry. You also need a bit of luck.

The ‘Homesome’ look book, shot by Amanda Camenisch (and main)

If your collection was a song, what would it be?
For ‘Homesome’ probably a Punk song including some strings and techno. A wild mix of everything.

Which Larry Clark movies in particular inspired the latest collection?
It was mostly Kids which transported that feeling of being connected to a group very well. You are looking for this as a teenager. You want to be part of something.

How would you like to take your work to the next level? What does the remainder of 2016 have to offer?
I just finished my latest collection ‘Hysteria’ and I am getting ready for Paris Fashion Week. I don’t know yet what will come next. I need some space to let things happen naturally.

Is there anything that we’d never see in a Stefanie Biggel collection?
I’m pretty much open to anything. There shouldn’t be too many rules.

Shop the collections at stefaniebiggel.com

Tags: AW15, Kurt Cobain, larry clark, new designer, SS16, Stefanie Biggel

There’s been a lot of talk about denim of late: the end of the skinny; the rise of the waist. Be it a kick flare or a crop, top stitch or a drop seam, in 2016 these threads have again moved from staple to statement. But if you find yourself unwilling to forgo your skinnies, or overwhelmed by the choices on offer – then Roger Vivier’s latest collaboration with stylist Camille Seydoux is for you.

Camille Seydoux has reworked Roger Vivier’s iconic Prismick design for SS16

For Spring Summer 2016 Camille, sister of Bond siren Léa, has taken the iconic Prismick design and reimagined accessories solely in patchwork denim. No stranger to wardrobe re-design, Seydoux has applied her red-carpet and couture expertise to the transition piece conundrum. The capsule collection is comprised of platform sandals, ankle boots and evening bags, easy to wear from the start of the day through to darkest night.  Timeless and effortlessly chic, give your 501s a rest and sport this denim collection instead.

Available in Roger Vivier stores around the world from mid-Feb 2016.

rogervivier.com

Tags: Camille Seydoux, collaborations, Denim, Léa Seydoux, Roger Vivier, SS16

For spring summer 2016, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim – creative directors of Kenzo – have chosen the medium of film to produce their wares, with the 10-minute short: Snowbird. Written and directed by Sean Baker – who is still riding the wave of his critically acclaimed Tangerine, which is described as “a dramatic slapstick slice of life of two Los Angeles trans women” – the entire film was shot in what is becoming his usual style: on an iPhone.

Set in the eclectic expanse of ‘Slab City’, in the Californian Sonoran desert, the short shows Theo (played by Lee) delivering pieces of homemade cake to different residents of the unique community. Described as “a Mecca for eccentrics living off of the grid”, Slab City is touted as “a conglomeration of domestic structures cobbled together with all manner of material.”

As opposed to a glossy, all-star ensemble cast proffering a slick and stylised fashion film, as is so often the case, Kenzo and Sean Baker’s take is an altogether real (many of the cast are genuine residents of Slab City) representation of clothes in situ, which “eschews the glitz and glamour of fashion.”

This is yet another string Abbey Lee can add to her acting bow, after a successful role in Mad Max: Fury Road saw her receive much praise last year. Watch Snowbird in its entirety below, and shop the new season collection when it drops at kenzo.com.

Tags: abbey lee, Fashion, film, Kenzo, sean baker, SS16

Haute couture isn’t something that’s typically thought of as cool. Beautiful? Yes. Incredibly intricate, ostentatiously unique and mind-blowingly accomplished? Yes. Rebellious? Absolutely. But cool? No. Well, turns out, someone didn’t give the seven-strong team behind Christian Dior‘s spring summer 2016 collection that memo.

What was presented to a predictably packed audience in Paris’s Musée Rodin on Monday was as deliciously unkempt as the bookshelves lining the Seine. Despite the departure of Raf Simons – the undoubtedly refreshing and oft-lauded face of modernity at the historic French house – this was a collection of magnificently wearable, works of art.

Starchy silhouettes were compromised with flashes of bare shoulder – not in a calculated ‘cut-out’ manner – but as if the model had been gesticulating too wildly and somehow shrugged one side of her previously ladylike look off. Because of course Dior is ladylike. Even when it’s sending punkish sheer tops layered underneath prom dresses down the catwalk, the hair remains in a perfect side part, and the cheeks delicately rouged.

Christian Dior Haute Couture SS16

In addition to this, hemlines of voluminous silk dresses cascaded messily from beneath embroidered, tobacco-hued wool coats that were just that bit too short, and the breast-plate of stiff tops exploded provocatively in a fanning wave of ruffles around models’ décolletage.

There is no denying that haute couture as a whole, has become infinitely more realistic in its approach to cut and day-to-day use in recent years. Even the handful of super rich clients who buy this stuff have some kind of ‘cost per wear’ gauge. But – that doesn’t mean it’s become boring. Far from it. In fact, the true inventiveness now is in the attitude conveyed by the most beautiful of clothes. As Christian Dior themselves echoed in their statement this week:

“The spontaneous, relaxed Parisienne of today is Couture by nature, down to the smallest details, but modern in spirit. It’s her attitude, her way of moving, her way of simply being.”

Christian Dior Haute Couture SS16

dior.com

Tags: Christian Dior, haute couture, Paris, Raf Simons, SS16