Rosie

I studied and practice my profession within the borders of the European standard sizes 36, 38, 40. As I only do “one of a kind” pieces, I go with an instant feeling that decides which size the new garment will have. I like to create in-between sizes and in few occasions I go outside my limits and design a size 34 or 42. I am a keen and analytical learner, I take my time to learn, to improve and to develop my working skills and in the past 12 years I constantly focused on this process. Creating standard sizes that are not in my usual range (such as baby, curvy, petite or pregnancy) requires new abilities and investments. When I met my model Kirsten Mackay, I knew that it was about time to try to develop a new range of designs dedicated to women with curves. She is so beautiful, inspiring and natural! To my astonishment, I found out that she has it very difficult to find feminine, stylish and body caressing dresses and I then realized that we (dressmakers and fashion designers) learn at school on relatively small sizes, mostly EU 36 and 38. And, unfortunately, the mass media, advertising agencies, department stores etc. promote these “basic” looks.

“Retro size” is Kirsten’s notion to my new range, a definition that symbolizes femininity, glamour and understated vanity.

Rosie is my first collection from the "retro size" line and I feel that the result gives me the confidence to continue to create for ladies that love their curves and every millimeter of their physical and spiritual body.

Hanna

I got to know Hanna Maria Schatovich last year, soon after she opened her style and beauty coaching business. She has a tremendous work load, to manage her contracts, but still has the energy to organize side projects and events, such as various business interviews or the seasonal Fashiontalk.

One of my first photoshoots in 2017 was organized by Hanna at my showroom, everything was a delight. I am in love with the result! She is a master at connecting creative minds and it was an honour to work with such talents!

Credits Photography: Jin S. Scheidel
Model: Hanna Maria Schatovich 
Hair & Make-up: Karina Kirecci 

ZOË Wearing My Designs At Vienna State Opera Ball

Source

Stunning and talented Austrian singer-songwriter ZOË wore a silver and cream brocade couture gown & matching headpiece, yesterday at the annual Vienna Opera Ball.

It was such a pleasure to work with ZOË and her stylist, Jasmina Straub, both are very professional - and absolutely lovely!

We are very happy about all the compliments and positive feedback ZOË received on her outfit and the coverage online, on TV and in the press!

Video: http://tvthek.orf.at/profile/Opernball-2017/13886830/Opernball-2017-Das-Fest/13904738/Nathan-Trent-und-Zo-Straub/13990479

Source

Gracia

I first met Gracia three months ago, on the day I signed the rental contract for my bridal showroom. We were introduced by the house owner in front of our doors! I felt so delighted and pleased to have such a friendly and happy neighbor! She was from the first moment so sweet and charming, a bit later I realized that she also has many artistic talents and loves to share her passions. In the little free time we have, we meet over a drink or ice cream or cake and chat with lots of pleasure and joy!

La Petite Artisan

Since I know myself I have a great passion for earrings... I love fine but sophisticated ones with a minimalist and special design, most important, gentle with the skin as I developed many allergies over time. As I share the same taste and expectations with some of my friends, customers or colleagues, I took the chance and decided to design a full collection of one of a kind, fine earrings. 

Bodysuit Designs

After years of craving and dreaming, I finally managed to create a couple of bodysuit designs! I’m very proud of them and will continue to create more pieces. I love to use fine French lace in combination with cotton blended jerseys or Lycra.
Prices start at EUR 89,-

Passion For Hand Knits

Photo: Dina Lee

I discovered Maria Florea’s work by chance, following an online discussion after the broadcast of my television interview by TVR. I love to personally get to know talented and inspiring artists and Maria is one of them. She graduated “George Enescu” Arts University in Iasi, Romania, lives in Toscany, Italy and works as a ceramic artist, painter and wool crafter. Since years I am searching for a skilled hand knitter to bring my creative ideas to life  and I was super happy to find out, that Maria would be interested to cooperate with my label.

Artiste – My Latest Handbags Collection

I designed this collection inspired by a couple of creative people that I have been admiring since a while. I am very lucky to be surrounded by amazing artists and talented colleagues, their work, dedication and passion are a strong source of inspiration on my collections.
One of them is light objects and lampshades designer, Megumi Ito. I met her exactly 12 years ago and Megumi still fascinates me. I admire her work, natural talent, style, beauty and youthfulness. We used to be neighbors for a couple of years, then kept contact, mostly via Facebook.

Sunniva – Collection Shoot

I am proud and delighted to show you a selection of my newest collection, Sunniva. I am in love with every item from Sunniva, I began designing it early this year and I am happy that it absolutely reflects my label's concept and message: Provençal coziness and femininity blended with straight, minimalist Scandinavian style. The pieces can be worn in every season except cold winters and the materials used are soft, natural cottons, linen and silk.

Croisé

Last Autumn I had the great pleasure to receive the permission to organise a photo shoot in the Ballet Academy at the Vienna State Opera. I was so happy to get to know Iulia, a very gracious and talented ballerina; she amazed us with her beauty and modesty.

Custom-made: Silk & Leather Floor Length Dress for Special Occasions

Beatrice is one of my beloved friends, I only know her since one year but we meet often and every time chat with full pleasure for hours because we share similar life views and interests. She is a wonderful person; I love her sense of humour, cooking skills, openness and the fact that she knows how to keep her friends secrets.
I sometimes design for her and every time I am impressed by her correctness when it comes to the part that it’s hard to talk between friends; the payment for my services. Each time I work for her she is making sure that all costs are covered, asks me ten times if there are extra payments needed and thanks me a million times when the item is ready.

Last summer she started to prepare the outfit for one of her best friend’s wedding. She knew exactly what she wanted to wear and that made everything smooth and easy. We met over breakfast at a café in Wien Mitte and cleared all points including the working process.

Ruffled Romance — Capsule Collection No. 1

I started designing this collection about a couple of months ago; I love ruffles and the first piece (the long skirt) gave me the inspiration to continue and develop my idea: ruffles for a romantic mood. I will soon add new pieces to the capsule, but at the moment it consists of five designs, adding up to three outfits.

Grey & Drops of Silver

Felicia is a big midi dresses fan and as soon as she saw this dress, she wanted it! As she’s very slim, I did some fitting adjustments and the result came out very nice. I’m happy that the dress brings Felicia a natural shine!

Drops and Pearls

 I wish to share with you my latest addition to my new collection that will be launched at the end of this month.

This floor length dress is made out of batik fabric and it gives a light and refreshing feeling when you wear it.

I love the fabric’s pattern; the beautiful shades that resemblances marble as well as the "drops" in green and caramel colours. The necklace is made out of flat sweet water pearls coloured in a golden shade.

 Necklace: Klunkerei

Bold Fringes

I first got to know Nadia Danecek at Claire’s Morgan wedding. She approached me to compliment the bride’s dress and asked if I would like to work a fabric that she has received from her beloved grandfather.
The fabric is brought from Yemen from the time when her grandparents were living there. As far as I understood, her grandfather has been working there and her grandmother loved to sew and bought many nice garments. I’ve already seen the fabric and I’m looking forward making something nice out of it!
In the meantime, I’ve made a dress that Nadia wanted to wear at a recent birthday celebration of her grandfather, in Moscow. She asked me if I have some similar fringes to Claire’s dress and I could find in a nice green shade.
We both liked the result!

Shoulders Fringes Dress for Claire’s Hen Night

Model, Katia Wagner

Two days before the wedding, Claire together with seventeen girlfriends celebrated in a burlesque style her pre-last night as a fiancé. The event was organized by Anika, one of Claire’s friends and the evening’s highlight was a workshop held in the First American Bar where the girls had a lot of fun learning how to style, dance and act. I'm sorry I couldn't make it but the upcoming wedding was making me as nervous as the bride was and I wanted to catch some sleep to be able to focus on the final touches of her gown.

Claire decided to buy and wear one of my dresses that I personally like very much but it took a couple of months to find its owner as the slim line can be a sensitive matter. As Claire is a yoga fan, she loved the dress right away and felt confident wearing it. She wasn’t wrong as she looked and felt great and we both received many compliments.

As I couldn’t find any of those fringes in black colour, Claire is lucky to have this last dress (I’ve only made 2, one short and one ¾). But I’ve ordered some in a light colour (cream/beige) and I’m looking forward doing some new pieces :)

Fröhlich

Fröhlich, A/W 2011

Fröhlich, A/W 2011

I first got to know Gabriele Rigby, the designer/behind the fashion label Fröhlich, this October as I/was selling a sewing machine and she was the first one answering my ad.
We used to sell our collections in the same designers store in Vienna (Designer Werkstatt) but I never had the occasion to meet her. When she came to pick up the sewing machine she took the chance to see my atelier and work, we talked a bit about our professions and spontaneously asked me to sew her a custom brown wristlet as she loves this color and leather, in general.

I was really happy to make the wristlet clutch and when I delivered it to her store I took with me some bags in case she would like to sell them besides her clothing collection.

Gabi was very pleased with her new bag

I didn’t know how her store looked like and as soon as I saw it I found it very charming! Bright, cozy, refreshing, creative. My clutches got a beautiful place in the window and they looked like they very much belong there, blending with Gabi’s design and place. If you wish to visit her store, it is open every Friday from 2-6.30 pm, every Saturday of the month from 11 am-3 pm or by appointment.

More on: www.froehlichewelt.at

First 2 photos: Ursula Schmitz