Dear Shaded Viewers,
I visited with Flora, Alexa and Stephen from Ohne Titel in their new studio and tried in vain to peek at the upcoming collection [concealed behind white curtains].
As we chatted about their 2009 CFDA and Swiss Textile Award nominations, I found out Flora's grandfather was a scientist who helped develop the first computer, Alexa's favorite beach is Southern and haunted, and Stephen is a great cook except for a recent salad where the blue cheese was too strong….we all agreed that pungent cheese was an important food group nonetheless.
The girls explained how they translated the F/W multi-layered visions of African artist El Anatsui, armor and chain mail into soft, lean sculptures by developing their fabric from a mere strand. Working with their mill and inventing new mechanisms to create precisely what they need also enables Ohne Titel's design and fabric to evolve together.
In college I ignored the tedious technical aspects of design because I was "creative" and would be so very rich I could just pay someone else to do the boring stuff. Now that I am wildly unsuccessful in all areas, skilled visionaries like Ohne Titel only add to my chagrin!
Later,
Sarah
