THE DRESS ALWAYS FITS

Visiting Johanna Skoczylas and Eliane Diethelm in their studio showroom for Falke footprints Zurich

Zurichs neighborhood Kreis 5 right around the main train station attracted a new generation of entrepreneurs, who opened their cafés, restaurants, showrooms and studios. In the heartbeat of the area we met Johanna and Eliane who created the fashion brand "Little Black Dress"

At her graduate fashion show nine years ago, Joanna met Eliane, a professional seamstress who had realised that she wouldn’t be able to work the way she wanted to at one of the big fashion labels. The two hit it off immediately and became best friends. It’s easy to see why. Eliane’s face is an open book that seems to reflect her every thought. Her eyes fly about the room restlessly, looking for something to hold on to whilst her thoughts drift from one topic to the next. Like Joanna, Eliane is full of energy and entrepreneurial spirit, and driven by the desire to do things differently.

Read Josef's article for Falke footprints

Watch the video

THE INTUITIVE WAY

Visiting Swiss designer Alfredo Häberli​ for Falke footprints Zurich

With more than 37° C we experienced one of the hottest summer days in Zurich. Josef, Sabine and myself humped our equipment from Alfredo's design work 25h Hotel to his office at the other end of the city.

Häberli’s workshop overlooks Lake Zurich. It’s housed in a sober 1970s building: concrete, glass and little spurts of green peeking out between the cracks in the brittle asphalt. He answers the door himself. He’s only got an hour for us – that’s all he can spare, he says. Too much to do. Just like everyone else, designers have to make money – sometimes, for others. For years he has had six people working for him. He glances at his watch. There’s always time for an espresso though.

We follow him into his studio, where a breathtaking scene awaits. Steel shelves are cluttered with memorabilia and objects collected over the past twenty years: plastic spoons, comic figures, plenty of junk, and childrens’ toys everywhere. There’s an old scooter and tricycles, some of them over fifty years old. There’s fabric and plastic contorted into different shapes hung on the walls, none of which serves any discernable purpose. Lamps in all shapes and sizes, as well as an eclectic assortment of dishes, glasses, cutlery, eyeglasses, divers’ masks. A prop collection? What for? Who is this man?

Read Josef's article at FALKE footprints Alfredo Häberli

Watch the video

QUIET, NEVER LOUD

Talking to architect and designer Sabine Keggenhof for Falke footprints Zurich

Sabine was the interior designer of Falke's new flagship store in the heart of Zurich. A perfect scene for our interview.

Sabine Keggenhoff attracts stares. There’s no doubting it. I follow her through the city: Her simple black dress, severe hair and slow walk – seemingly unrushed and aimless – makes her stand out from the other passerby on this hot summer day in the centre of Zurich. Squeaking streetcars rattle by, relieving one another. Tourists and locals throng across the intersection, but she stays where she is. The traffic lights change from red to green. People stream past her. She waits – behind her, the horizon, Lake Zurich and, in the distance, the snow-covered mountains.

Read Josef's article and watch our video at FALKE footprints, Sabine Keggenhof