Mephisto is an exploration of artisanal heritage through the lens of psychological tension and generational trauma. Rooted in my family’s century-long history in shoemaking, the project reflects the weight of inherited traditions and the struggle to break free from them.
The collection takes traditional craft techniques—such as leather moulding and precise construction—but distorts and reshapes them, resulting in sculptural silhouettes that blur the line between structure and disintegration. Just as trauma alters perception, the garments in Mephisto challenge conventional forms, appearing both restrained and unravelled at once.
Symbolism plays a subtle yet critical role. The collection integrates motifs of cyclical entrapment, fractured identity, and the passage of time, represented through material choices, layering, and the tension between control and chaos in construction. The process itself became a method of deconstructing personal history—both a tribute and a rebellion against what was inherited.
Ultimately, Mephisto is not just a collection about shoemaking traditions; it is a meditation on what we inherit, what we reject, and what we transform. It stands as a dialogue between past and present, questioning the balance between preservation and reinvention.
Steeped in heritage yet fractured by time, Mephisto is a study of craft, memory, and transformation. Timo Kurz, an independent designer, explores the tension between inherited tradition and personal reinvention. Rooted in a century-old shoemaking legacy, the project distorts artisanal techniques, reshaping them into sculptural silhouettes that blur the lines between structure and disintegration.
Through intricate textures and raw construction, Mephisto becomes a dialogue between past and present – where craftsmanship is both a weight and a medium for change.
Photography by Cris Cerdeira www.criscerdeira.com Instagram: @criscerdeira
Retouch by Maca Ibsen Instagram: @macaibsen
The model is Tory signed at Modelwerk Instagram: @torys_
Make up by Angelique Waltenberg visa-berlin.de/visa-berlin Instagram: @angelique.waltenberg
Assistant Nils Henning @n1___I5
Designer Timo M. Kurz Instagram: @timo___kurz
“My name is Timo Kurz, and I am an independent designer based in Berlin, originally from Stuttgart. My fashion journey has always been deeply rooted in craftsmanship and a fascination for construction, transformation, and emotional storytelling. Currently, I am studying at HTW Berlin, but my background extends beyond academia—I trained as a bespoke tailor, which fundamentally shaped my approach to design.
My work exists at the intersection of traditional craft and modern experimentation. While my foundation lies in precise tailoring and artisanal techniques, I push beyond conventions through deconstruction, sculptural silhouettes, and material innovation. Upcycling, leather moulding, and zero-waste methodologies are essential to my practice—not only for sustainability but as a way to challenge and reconstruct narratives embedded in garments.
I don’t see my work as merely fashion but more as a medium for personal reflection, psychological exploration, and the deconstruction of inherited identities. My collections often carry deeply personal themes, subtly embedded within textures, structures, and the manipulation of materials rather than overt symbolism.
At this stage, I remain independent, working outside the traditional fashion system. My focus is on artistic expression and conceptual storytelling rather than mass production. My goal is to create work that resonates emotionally—pieces that feel like memories materialized into form.”
More of my work can be found on Instagram: @timo___kurz
