Berlin Fashion Week! Berlin based fashion label LEAF unveiled her new Spring/Summer collection for 2017 during the KALTBLUT vs Oliver Rath Fashion Installation at Rath Factory. I had a little chat with the designer behind the brand about her new collection. Photos by Sebastian Pollin.
Name: Lea Fauth / Age: 34 / Hometown: Berlin /Menswear or Womenswear: womenswear
Hello. Welcome to KALTBLUT. Why have you decided to participate at The KALTBLUT SS17 Installation?
LEAF: First of all, thank you for letting me participate at the KALTBLUT Installation SS17.
It is a great chance for me to present my work in the name of KALTBLUT Magazine, because the KALTBLUT Magazine has always been open in supporting young designers, photographers and artists, you guys have a great intention and it is amazing to be a part of it.
Can you tell us something about the collection you presented? What was your inspiration?LEAF. I presented the LEAF summer collection 2017. My main Inspiration for this collection was a particular Jacquard fabric. When I saw the beautiful blue flower pattern the first time I immediately had Silhouettes in my mind that I wanted to create – jackets, coats and shorts. I also imagined light cream coloured blouses that would go very well with the idea. I tell you: the moment I saw this Jacquard the collection had been created in my mind.
What kind of material did you used for the collection?
LEAF: I use all different kind of materials, it depends on the pieces I want to create. I only use high quality materials such as mother of pearl buttons. All fabrics are made and sourced in Europe and are washable.
What challenges did you face during the design process?
LEAF:The biggest challenge for me is always to choose the best styles for the collection. At the beginning I had so many Ideas for styles, far too many to realize, so I have to choose the best ones. This is hard for me.
How would you describe your self and your work?
LEAF: I’m a dreamer and I’m aware of it, so I try hard to stay focused and organized. I think you can see it in my collections, many styles have a playful spirit and some are coming with extra values, but every style is realized with a high level of workmanship and construction.
Tell us about your journey that led you to this point.
LEAF: It was a long way to get to the point where I had enough confidence in myself to create clothes which represents my personal taste, even though it was a very difficult decision to quit my job and start my own label. I studied fashion design in Berlin and worked in the fashion Industry for about 6 years, before I started LEAF.
What would you say this is the biggest influence to your design process?
LEAF: The world surrounding me! colours, moods, people, experiences I make, … all of this melts together in my brain and influences upcoming collections.
If you had not become a fashion designer, what would you do instead?
LEAF: Easy – I would have become a Fashion Designer.
Who’s your dream client?
LEAF: A person with excellent taste, who appreciates the workmanship and the design of each style and doesn’t mind the price.
What was the first item you have ever designed? And who was the lucky one to get it?LEAF: I sketched a lot when I was young, but all those sketches never became reality. The first dress I produced was when I was 17, it was a dark red backless dress, held only by silver jewelry. There was a silver symbol on the backside fixed with necklaces. The silver symbol was only made for this dress, I was super proud.
I never gave this dress to anyone because the workmanship was not perfect, and I only sell styles that are perfect.
What can we expect from you in near future?
LEAF: Constant development.
Where can we buy your fashion?
LEAF: In my online shop at www.leaf-fashion.com or you can also buy LEAF in Bamberg, Mainz, Köln, Düsseldorf, Berlin, …
