Stephanie Franzius - favourite items for me - the private showroom on 20 January in Berlin, preview here on GoSee

Avant-Garde designer Stephanie Franzius presents her new Autumn/Winter collection 2010/2011 in her private showroom at Rosethaler Str. 38, at Hackescher Markt, Berlin.

Her label is simply named after her surname Franzius. Yet, her collections turn out to be anything but simple. Quite the contrary. Every single line is tenderly thought-out and dedicated to an abstract and very emotional topic. Short-lived fashion trends do not necessarily influence Stephanie.

“I work very intuitively, lyrically, I like to dream”, explains the designer. Thus, traditional “research” is obsolete. She prefers to let her creative environment inspire her. Favourite pieces emerge “for me, for women with an individual taste and character, who distance themselves from mainstream.”

Her 1950s-inspired colours and cut templates are of guaranteed vogue and her choice for the season after the next in 2010. The look is reminiscent of Monroe, reinterpreted and worn by Emma Watson.

A spiritrual muse is behind any of Stephanie's collections, they all share the same traits; they are strong females: 70s icon Nico was one of them, so was French chanteuse Françoise Hardy, singer Juliette Lewis, independent star Tilda Swinton or even her own best friend.

Stephanie Franzius is 31 years of age. A Berlin original. The blond designer learned her craft in Berlin, Milan, New York and Amsterdam. She works for both traditional Anne Klein and eccentric duo Viktor & Rolf. Yet, she always returns to her home, not only because she likes the colourful mix of people in Berlin.

“I wanted to go freelance, start from the bottom, slow and steady. Even from an economic perspective, there is no better alternative.” Her atelier is located in the former East part of the city – Prenzlauer Berg, at the Ernst-Thälmann-Park, which lies - oddly enough – in the midst of a very urban area, which had once been built for artists. Nowadays, nobody under the age of 60 lives here anymore, least of all artists. Her atelier is a 160m2 former library, with a refreshing view of greenery. “It does have the atmosphere of an island. Far off from the buzz, but quite central nevertheless.”

Stephanie designs the patterns. By now, she passes on the rest to seamstresses. She would not be able to cope otherwise. “I take care of selling my collections myself as well you know.” She finds her contacts on fairs in Paris, New York and Berlin. She has her own agent in Japan. In the small, well-stocked Berlin design store Konk, Yann LeGoec chanced upon Franzius' fashion and was excited to introduce her to Japan. Together with H.P. France, he runs the showroom and shop WUT Berlin in Tokyo.


Franzius - Rag Time
20. January, 10am - 6pm
Showroom, by appointment only
Rosenthaler Straße 38
10178 Berlin
www.franzius.eu