In the vibrant landscape of contemporary fashion, TATi emerges as a breath of fresh air, embodying the essence of multidisciplinary artistry. A blend of punk attitude, folkloric inspiration, and a commitment to sustainability, TATi, the brainchild of this innovative knitwear designer, is redefining the essence of personal expression through fashion. Founded in 2023 and currently bridging the creative hubs of Dreiländereck and Paris, TATi delivers not just garments, but a narrative interwoven with heritage, empowerment, and nostalgia.
At the heart of TATi’s vision lies a dedication to repurposing used materials and embracing traditional handicrafts, stimulating a compelling dialogue about women’s rights. With a micro-knitwear factory that honours the legacy of her family’s past in the textile industry, TATi is not only reviving a bygone era but also forging a new path for sustainable fashion. Her recent showcase at Mode Suisse 25 further amplifies this message, reflecting a collection that dances between commercial appeal and bold creativity.
Join us as we delve into the world of TATi and explore her journey, design philosophy, and the captivating designs that emerged from her debut at Mode Suisse, drawing a bridge between tradition and modern expression.
KALTBLUT: Tell me how you first became interested in fashion, and why you decided to become a fashion designer.
Secretly, I always wanted to be a fashion designer since I was little. I studied a lot in high school, I was very ambitious and always had good grades, so I thought I should pursue sth academic at uni instead. I spontaneously applied for Fashion Design and got in. I think I was lucky back then, as I had almost no experience. I love fashion bc it combines many disciplines, critical thinking, graphic design, history and culture, communication and management, etc. It is multidisciplinary, and that is very much me.
KALTBLUT: Tell me a little bit about your journey that led to you releasing your new collection?
I graduated from the IFM Knitwear Master’s in Paris back in 2022, then I worked for Kenzo and some other independent brands as a freelancer. During that time, I figured out that someone in my family used to own a knitwear factory/ sportswear brand in Allgäu, Germany, which they had to sell 20 years ago. My heart started to jump, and I felt extremely excited, and I knew that before I turn 30, I had to revive my family’s textile history. So I moved back to Basel, collected many industrial knitting machines mainly from Italy and started my very own mirco-knitwear factory. In September 2024 I decided to focus 100% on my own brand.
KALTBLUT: How would you describe your style and fashion?
A rebellious aesthetic of punk culture, folkloric, subversive, rock-chic, a collage of textile materials, fluids of gender boundaries, mix-match style and romantic at the same time.
KALTBLUT: How did the experience of showcasing at Mode Suisse influence your design philosophy?
I am so thankful that ModeSuisse gave me a platform to showcase my designs as a young designer, especially with a focus on sustainable fashion. I think we share the same values in working culture, as in having a team with a good spirit and mindset.
KALTBLUT: Can you detail any specific challenges you faced while creating your collection for this event?
The challenges I was facing were moving my studio while preparing everything for ModeSuisse, which was kinda stressful. ☺ But we are now in a space where we can work more independently as a brand, and I can`t wait to create new things there and share them with you.
KALTBLUT: What feedback have you received about your collection at Mode Suisse, and how will it impact your future work?
I got so much positive feedback. I think I managed to create a collection that is more commercial but also very creative. Although I think I could have created maybe 1-2 more crazy couture show pieces. I was a bit too focused on the commercial pieces. I was a bit in a rush in the end and didn`t give it too much time or attention.
KALTBLUT: How do you feel your collection reflects the current trends in fashion as showcased at Mode Suisse?
I think currently Converse High Boots are very popular. I saw a lot of people in New York wearing them this year. Of course, I am a trinket girly, so we dressed up 2 Labubus in TATi fashion and customised and pierced them. Also, we had some crochet hat beanies, which are currently very popular.
KALTBLUT: Were there any specific materials or techniques you experimented with in your collection for this event?
Yes, it was my first time using felting as a technique in the collection, which was very fun. My ex-intern, Milena Schneider @millennski is a felting queen. You should check out her felted star earrings – very fashionable and cool. Together, we developed the felted textile pieces, which we turned into scarves and bags.
KALTBLUT: What message or story do you aim to convey with your collection presented at Mode Suisse?
AW25 “Doll Dialogues” and SS25 “GIRLS who love GIRLS” merge traditional craft with pop-cultural iconography, drawing from my time at the Fashion x Craft workshops at Highgrove, organised by the German Fashion Council, where techniques like basket weaving and straw doll-making sparked a dialogue with the glossy, hyper-feminine world of the Barbie movie directed by Greta Gerwig. The collection explores this tension through playful textures—furry lingerie, labial wool motifs, lace and gingham—crafted from deadstock and vintage materials. It’s a sensual, nostalgic love letter to handmade femininity, reclaiming beauty, identity, and girlhood through contrast and craft.
KALTBLUT: Are there any fashion icons who inspire your design?
My mom, Claudia, my ex-girlfriend EUGENE Stl. @eugeneisgenius (thanks to her, I started to create more sexy and naughty knitwear), Vivienne Westwood, Kenzo Takada, Chopova Lowena and Charles Jeffrey Loverboy.
KALTBLUT: What would you say makes your design stand out against other brands?
Always and forever mastering knitwear. The fact that everything is locally produced, working together with local craft people, but then we twist it and turn it into punk. We will never create boring beige or grey jumpers.
KALTBLUT: Where do you find your inspiration for your work?
Mostly Art exhibitions, book stores, music and conversations with my dear friends.
KALTBLUT: What advice would you give to people who want to experiment more with the clothes they wear?
Just don`t care what others think about your style. Be yourself. Experiment! If you want to try sth. new then just do it! Embrace who you are.
KALTBLUT: What are your favourite pieces from your collection?
The “Peeing Trans Princess” and “Two kissing Girls” jumper.
KALTBLUT: How would you describe the local fashion scene/industry in your home town/country?
Basel cares a lot about local production and MADE in Switzerland, the fashion scene, though, is very slow and doesn`t care so much about what happens in Milano, Paris or New York. Trends always arrive very late here. I can see that many people from Basel/Zurich get inspired by the street style of Berlin, but that`s a bit boring for me. In terms of production, there are not many places left. As far as I know, only 2-3 knitwear factories are remaining in Switzerland. I take advantage of that bc I can profit from this countryside lifestyle, I reject industrial mass production, and I embrace everything made local. Living in Basel helps me a lot to focus on my work and design slow fashion.
KALTBLUT: What does being an independent designer mean to you?
For me, it means I can be 100% myself. It means I can collaborate and work together with so many other talented designer friends, which makes me feel alive and motivated. I can schedule my week as I want, go back and forth between Basel and Paris. I really love that kind of freedom over any corporate office job.
KALTBLUT: If your brand were ice cream, what flavours would it be?
My brand is actually ice cream, just with yarns, haha. It would be matcha, cinnamon and strawberry ice cream. Of course, there would be colourful sprinkles on top and the cornetto would be covered inside with chocolate.
KALTBLUT: What was the last music track you listened to?
Pokemon – Wet Leg (always and forever love them, I actually have a crush on the lead signer – Rhian Teasdale)
KALTBLUT: Finally, what can we expect to see from you in the near future?
You will be able to buy TATi KNITWEAR ROCK N`ROLL in New York City soon. Stay tuned.
