Bob Varela News

PERRET SCHAAD

Since their debut collection presented at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin in January 2010, Johanna Perret and Tutia Schaad have defined the essence of PERRET SCHAAD’s line by cultivating their obsession for the “modern” and the “beautiful”. Already the first collection proved the duo’s capacity to express their aesthetic as well as their perfectionism. It was greatly applauded and marked the launch of the label into business, not only encouraged by the press but also by retail response. In their work the designers use quality fabrics, both noble and tactile materials and combine them with harmony or in contrast, creating beautifully made designs. Keeping an intuitive method in their design process, with precise cuts and inventive draping, PERRET SCHAAD creates sharp and sensual silhouettes. Lines and patterns evoke structure and fluidity, while forms and volume draw the classic and the new. PERRET SCHAAD’s look is complete – romantic and feminist, intimate and free.

KIESEL

In July 2011, as part of the fashion talent award ‘Designer for Tomorrow by Peek & Cloppenburg Duesseldorf’, Alexandra Kiesel was one of five finalists to present her collection on the catwalk of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. Her ‘Baukasten Individualisten 12/6/24’ collection convinced the jury chaired by Marc Jacobs, the patron of the award and was voted as “Designer for Tomorrow”. Inspired and informed by the Bauhaus style, her outfits are characterized by strongly contrasting colour combinations, geometric shapes and rather austere cuts.

MIRANDA KONSTANTINIDOU

Miranda Konstantinidou became internationally known via her “KONPLOTT” jewellery brand, with which she has set countless trends. She started 25 years ago in womenswear when she spent ten seasons designing fashion collections for Trevira and Messe Frankfurt which were shown in Frankfurt and Hong Kong. Konstantinidou was born in Thessaloniki, later studying fashion illustration and design in Germany and Italy. In the mid 1990s she opened her first single-brand stores, of which there are now about 60 worldwide. For about the last 15 years she has run her own manufactory in Cebu, a centre of handcraftsmanship in the Philippines, where she also lives. She is constantly developing new production techniques by combining traditional and modern assembly methods and experimenting with unusual combinations of materials. In running a company with more than 1300 employees worldwide, she is committed to working with people trained in her own firm. As a businesswoman, she relies strongly upon solidarity and a company culture that is almost entirely shaped by women.

ANJA GOCKEL

Anja Gockel is one of the most successful fashion designers Made in Germany. After her studies in Hamburg she received a scholarship for the reputable Central Saint Martins College in London and worked with legendary Vivienne Westwood afterwards. She created her own label ANJA GOCKEL in 1996. Four years later, she returned to Mainz and launched ANJA GOCKEL GmbH. Her collections are sold in the best shops throughout Germany and in 20 countries worldwide. Her designs are worn by Queen Silvia of Sweden, Marietta Slomka, Ann-Kathrin Kramer and Martina Hill, to name just a few.

DAWID TOMASZEWSKI

Designer Dawid Tomaszewski, having his roots in Poland, decided after his studies in London at the College of Fashion and Academy of fine Arts under Vivienne Westwood in Berlin, to broaden his field of vision, with studies in History of Art at Academy of Fine Art in Poznan, Poland. During his work on various projects Dawid Tomaszewski developed his unique style in the high fashion world called "New Couture"; he took part in competitions and is winner of the Premium Young Designer Award.

In 2009 he went through to the final of Designer for Tomorrow, already well-known Designer such as Sonia Rykiel and the fashion label Comme des Garçons paid attention to him and his unconventional, creative ideas. At the end of the same year Dawid Tomaszewski returned to Berlin eager to launch his own premium label, reflecting his fascination for women and his passion for perfection. The label DAWID TOMASZEWSKI stands for perfection, exclusive fabrics, distinctive patterns and fine craftsmanship. Both of his collections, the complex "New Couture line" and his new, more casual "Studio line" demonstrate his susceptibility to fashion and the needs of women.

IRENE LUFT

Irene Luft’s history is a homage to fashion. As the daughter of a master tailor she followed her mother’s tracks and did her apprenticeship as a couture tailor. Afterwards she attended the renowned German Master Craftsmen School for Fashion and later graduated from the Akademie für Mode & Design in Munich. She designed her first own collection, while working for Rena Lange. Just one year later Irene Luft founded her own eponymous label in Munich and ever since positioned herself well in the fashion business. She also established a socially responsible, regional bound and sustainable producing couture manufactory in Plauen. In this context especially elderly people (above 50 years), single moms and many more are given a chance to a fair job. Her focus is to support low qualified young people and supply those with specially created apprenticeship training position.

Photos courtesy of MBFW Berlin

LAURÈL

LAURÈL is an internationally renowned premium brand from Germany – exciting, appealing and always feminine! LAURÈL fashion stands for "luxury ease" – a new laid-back style which reflects the identity of the modern woman, combining independence and strength with femininity. Looks with a feel-good style that can be worn 24/7. The slogan “See · Feel · Love” represents the message which the brand LAURÈL stands for. Women are to "see" the creations, "feel" them on their body and "fall in love" with LAURÈL.

MINX BY EVA LUTZ

Fashion is more than beautiful clothing. Fashion inspires one’s personality and leaves an imprint on one’s personal environment. Fashion is, if anything, about motivation and passion.” This is the philosophy that inspires Eva Lutz to create the significant, unique Minx styling. Clear lines, elaborate fits and innovative materials – pure and in manifold variations – mark the fashion statement of the designer’s collections. Eva Lutz uses sophisticated combinations of materials and high quality garments to create an individual fit for self-confident and modern women. Minx is uncomplicated, comfortable and of playful elegance. Discreet details leave an individual touch. Employed, successful and at the same time a family person – this represents the modern woman. Minx is the fashion label that addresses this self-confident women of today.

KILIAN KERNER

Kilian Kerner (1979), was born and raised in Cologne. Before founding the label KILIAN KERNER in 2004 he studied drama in Cologne and Berlin between 2000 and 2003. Due to his success in the past Kilian Kerner was able to expand and develop his label. The premium line KILIAN KERNER as well as the diffusion line Kilian Kerner Senses are both available in fourteen countries worldwide, e.g. at Apropos in Köln/Düsseldorf, Tessabit in Italy, Fenwick and House of Fraser in UK and the KILIAN KERNER stores in Berlin and Hamburg. In the meantime there have been numerous celebrities supporting KILIAN KERNER: Actresses like Karoline Herfurth and Alina Levshin, famous models such as Eva Padberg and Karolína Kurková, actor Tom Schilling and musician Tim Bendzko – are fond of Kilian Kerner’s designs.

Photos courtesy of MBFW Berlin