Frankfurt-based Fashion Designer Albrecht Ollendiek Still Loves New York
Viewing New York for the initially time due to the fact the pandemic took keep, the Frankfurt-based designer Albrecht Ollendiek took in the artwork scene as substantially as he could.
Owning been in company for 35 many years, he mentioned, “To be genuine, my major like is New York because I started accomplishing company in New York when I was 20 [through a German-American fashion agency that was selling German fashion designers to the U.S.].”
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Checking out art heightens his layout sensibilities, no matter if that be Chinese bronzes from the Shang dynasty or the work of British up to date portrait artists. Before traveling again to Germany following a multiday remain, he traveled during the city. “It was two terribly vacant a long time — not that my daily life is empty devoid of New York,” Ollendiek explained. “I inhaled every single little bit of New York. I went to the Neue Galerie and Cafe Sabarsky, which I really like. I went to galleries, Sotheby’s, Christie’s — all of the areas that I love about New York.”
Pre-COVID-19, Ollendiek frequented New York each individual six to eight weeks and he is now eager to get again to that program. With an atelier and boutique in Frankfurt, he specializes in technically sophisticated couture types, together with ones in leather-based, suede and crocodile (from Hermès). The majority of Paris-made materials made use of in his models are manufactured exclusively for his organization. Most are also lined with produced-to-purchase silk prints (final winter season types inspired by Francois Boucher paintings had been manufactured). About the past year, for case in point, a printed leather-based was developed and the same print will be available in allover embroidered silk chiffon. The designer mentioned the regular concept of seasonal collections is outdated-fashioned and his collections are completed when they’re finished.
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A vacation to Peru led to such artwork-centric prints as a person encouraged by the gilded aspect altars in the Cathedral of Lima. He also visited the heart for native Peruvian textile art and requested a excellent deal of hand-embroidered trimmings. “The stunning detail is with each individual meter of trimming you get a minimal tag with the title of the Peruvian lady who it was woven by and the remote village exactly where it was built,” he explained. “You never just have this jacket created from some of the most wonderful leather-based in France with this silk print with Boucher inside, but you have these ribbons that have been built in distant villages in Peru by Peruvian craftspeople. This is what I really like — to deliver unique types of cultures with each other and producing one thing new out of it.”
Very pleased that shoppers have faith in him, Ollendiek claimed most of his clients are in “very uncovered social cases, where by they are currently being seemed at, judged and have to have outfits that never ridicule them. They need clothes that give them energy and self-confidence. Additionally, they want to talk that trend-intelligent they are in the front row of the chase. I really do not like the word ‘trend’ quite a lot. I’m not a great deal of a development particular person. I’m a lot more about style, style and independence.”
The self-taught designer reported he even now is aware of exactly how almost everything is generated and produced, like designs. With almost everything being bespoke, prospects expect extremely a lot and they pay really significantly, he reported. The principal retail value vary is $1,500 to $10,000, with alligator and other precious leathers going up to $50,000.
At the conclusion of next thirty day period, Ollendiek will participate in Frankfurt Style 7 days as the only couture designer. A trunk clearly show is becoming planned for this tumble in New York. “Lots of perform — we’re drowning in work. We’re drowning in orders,” he said. “We do anything — the handbags, leather-based, suede, silk and night gowns in our have workshop. I am incredibly picky when it comes to craftsmanship. I’m combating with my assistants over each individual millimeter or prime stitching. We explore and combat over the thickness of a thread.”
Performing with choose U.S. suppliers on a couple of exceptional signature models appeals to him. “I want to make a lot more pieces of wish than have 50 of my skirts hanging there in all colors and all measurements,” Ollendiek explained.
Aside from a few small business enterprise trips, the designer plans to stop by Angkor Wat for 10 days — something longer would make him miss out on his do the job and his dog. Referring to his multidimensional strategy, he mentioned that performing on the degree he does is like seeking to hardly ever sit on a person chair. “It’s much much more thrilling to sit concerning the chairs, which is considerably a lot more loony possibly. But it’s significantly more fun,” he said.
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