One to watch LARASEVERA

An interview taken from our new digital issue. Redefining Knitwear, One Stitch at a Time” Welcome to our exclusive interview with LARASEVERA, the innovative knitwear brand that has set the fashion industry ablaze with its groundbreaking designs. In this conversation, we delve into the creative process and inspirations behind this up-and-coming label, as it takes the world by storm with its debut collection.

LARASEVERA, founded by the visionary designer Lara Severa, challenges conventions and redefines the perception of knitwear. What sets this brand apart is its ability to seamlessly blend timeless design with a modern understanding of silhouettes and shapes. Lara’s keen eye for magnifying the potential of knitted fabrics has resulted in a collection that transcends traditional notions of knitwear, offering a diverse range of unisex suits, coats, fine dresses, and accessories. The brand effortlessly combines the comfort we associate with knitwear, with a distinct contemporary edge. The Spring/Summer 2024 collection from LARASEVERA is a testament to the brand’s fearless approach to fashion. By fusing unisex ready-to-wear pieces with avant-garde all-black knit couture, Lara Severa demonstrates her audacious vision. Join us as we delve into the world of LARASEVERA, where tradition meets cutting-edge innovation, and where the limits of knitwear are shattered, giving birth to a new era in fashion. Take a front-row seat and prepare to be captivated by the magic woven with every stitch.

www.larasevera.com / @larasevera

What was the inspiration behind LARASEVERA’s debut collection at Soho House Berlin?

The Inspiration for me for my first and my second Collection is people and conversations. I love making people smile with my knits and hearing more what people like and just seeing what everyone is wearing always inspires me to knit. Plus I always love surprising people with Knits that are “unusual” like knitted male skirts or Pants.

Besides that, I just like to get inspired by the Yarns and the Process itself. Sometimes I start knitting and I don’t even know where it’s going. I just let myself “ flow “ and listen to Jazz music. Sometimes the music just takes me to a place. I designed some pieces based on a song.

Could you share the significance of showcasing the new work on the opening day of Paris Fashion Week?

It was a dream come true for me. Paris has such a big place in my heart as I am originally a tailor and love the craftsmanship of creating garments I always felt like Paris is the right place for my brand. After showing in Berlin and Los Angeles it felt only right to bring my next Collection to Paris. But I have to say I was nervous because the standards for PfW are high and it was out of my comfort zone showing my work in Paris. I was worried about getting ‘ accepted ‘into the Paris Fashion world for sure. But it was such a beautiful experience and the feedback has been amazing so I can’t wait for the next.

How did LARASEVERA aim to redefine the perception of knitwear through its Spring/ Summer 2024 collection?

Most people when they think of Knitwear immediately think about nice colorful sweaters and comfort. I try to show that Knitwear can be more than a sweater that’s why I tried to create Unisex suits, Coats, Fine dresses, sunglasses cases and all types of accessories.

Can you elaborate on the fusion of unisex ready-to-wear and all-black knit couture in the collection?

Yes. I have been getting a lot more feedback about how I have to kind of choose if I want to do women’s, men’s, couture or RTW because it doesn’t make sense to mix everything in one Collection.

I just don’t like to be put in one box so I tried to combine everything and still have it harmonised with each other. I am a big Jazz lover and when I knit, I always listen to jazz and get inspired by the music. The collection is like a jazz jam session. A bit all over the place but at the end it still harmonizes. That’s why the Campaign shoot was shot on a stage and we added a trumpet in some images. In the end, the yarns and everything being knitted combine everything.

What motivated you to personally handcraft each garment in the collection?

To be honest, I do it all by hand because I can’t afford to do everything with industrial Machines. Sampling industrially is very expensive. I’ve been wanting to do my brand for years and I kept having the excuse I can’t do it because knitting with industrial machines is too expensive. One day I just decided I could still show what I can do with the resources that I have. I started knitting
in my apartment nonstop. I do love making things by hand and putting all of my love in each garment. Long term I need to find a way to industrialise part of it because it just takes too long to do everything by hand.

Read the full interview here: