Emerging designer spotlight: Katrin Schnabl

designer Katrin Schnabl/image courtesy of Katrin Schnabl

From the stage to the runway, designer Katrin Schnabl brings her background in professional dance to her one of a kind, movement inspired point of view. Style Wylde caught up with the designer just before the holidays to discuss her Spring 2013 collection, and what's up next for the dancer turned designer.

SW: In your bio,  it states that before you began to pursue a career in fashion  that you were trained as a dancer. What type of dance did you study?  For how long?  Who were your idols growing up in the world of dance?

KS: I attained “Buehnenreife” from a private, very traditional and classic ballet school in Germany. I was enthralled by Pina Bausch, Susanne Linke, Sankai Juku, and of course, visionary William Forsythe who led the Frankfurt Ballet, and I wanted to immerse myself in post-modern dance after graduating (see 4.) and went to NYC.

 image courtesy of Katrin Schnabl

SW:What prompted your switch from dance to fashion design as a major life interest?  Do you miss dance and performance, or is there an element of performance in fashion design (maybe runway shows) that fulfills that same artistic drive?

KS: One summer draping course at FIT: I was hooked, wanted to know everything about the form.              (Whether I miss dance and performance -) Unfortunately there is not enough time in the day, but I keep moving anyway.  Performance and fashion are deeply entwined forms of expression, they co-exist and feed off each other.

SW: In the US there has been a rising popularity of dance related entertainment in pop culture. From So You Think You Can Dance, to Dancing with the Stars, to the ‘Step Up’ film franchise. How much of this popularity do you think is starting to bleed into Fashion? Do you see dance class inspired street wear as a major trend in the future?

KS: Uh-oh, that gives me 80’s flashbacks. I think fashion now is much more diverse, layered, and nuanced, but I wouldn’t be surprised by some interesting ‘warmers’ layered in…

SW: I understand you moved to New York to study at FIT.  Was relocating to New York from your native Germany an important factor in your fashion education? What is it about New York that attracted you versus studying in one of the European fashion capitols such as Milan, Paris, or Berlin?

KS: I moved to NYC to dance.  I bought a home-sewing machine on Delancey.  On the side I made clothes for everybody, on-stage and off, like I always had. People commissioned me to design their costumes, or make pieces, from dance-wear to wedding-gowns. The basements of old-school fabric stores in the garment district were my guilty pleasure; I would always find something cheap & amazing.  I was completely and happily engulfed in New York; I did not compare other amazing cities -

SW: After graduating from FIT you freelanced for some major labels including Jil Sander. How did working with these high-profile companies influence your development as a designer?

KS: You see how everything comes together, and how much more complex a brand is. It was incredible to be able to see that working up close, and from a designer I greatly admire.

image courtesy of Katrin Schnabl 

SW: The Spring 2013 collection seems to incorporate a lot of movement and fluidity in the silhouettes, how much of that do you think is inspired by your dance background and training? Are there specific pieces that you look at and think “I totally could have worn that on stage.”  Are there specific pieces that are inspired by other dancers?

KS: Movement is very important to me – that is where everything started, so each garment should allow a surprising amount. I cut my own patterns, it is the key process for me, where any set of ideas transform into distinct, tangible expression. Some shells were developed for stage and others for fashion, I go seamlessly between the two, and there is a genealogy in these patterns, the DNA is already embedded. So, yes, the black Montalban coat would look fierce onstage.

SW: Moving away from dance now, what are other sources of inspiration for your design? Can you give us three phrases that some up the Spring 2013 collection?

KS: Effortless, bold, modern classics.  Utilitarian luxury paired with poetic versatility. Sensual, dynamic, understated chic.

 image courtesy of Katrin Schnabl

SW: If you had to choose a celebrity (actor, pop star, or yes a dancer!) that you feel encapsulates the spirit of the Katrin Schnabl woman who would it be? 

KS: Cate Blanchett!

SW: Finally, what are you plans for the coming season? Will you be showing at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York?

KS: We’ll be presenting Fall/Winter 2013 to the trade in NYC, but not yet at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion week – we’ll keep you posted!

For more information on Katrin Schnabl, including where to find her pieces in the US, check out the label's official web home.