q/a with felder felder.
The two designers behind Felder Felder, Annette and Daniela Felder, found their destination very soon; at an age of 14 they were scouted for Italian Vogue. This might have been the stirring moment that made them decide that they wanted to become fashion designers. Even though the twin sisters are born in Germany, they call London their home and studied at famous Central St. Martins. Their label has already been featured on TV various times, including the MTV show The Hills and Germany’s Next Topmodel.
Their love for Rock&Roll – or is it Frock&Roll? – serves as an inspiration for their designs, their spring/summer collection 2011, for example, was inspired by Jim Morrison -The Lizard King.
You started to grow an interest in the fashion world quite early but did the both of you always want to become fashion designers?
Our first love was music, we wanted to be rockstars , but after we realised that we won’t go anywhere with that, we started to get more and more fascinated with our idols’ style (Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Iggy Pop, Janis Joplin etc.) and started to dress like them and customising our own clothes.
What’s your source of inspiration?
Going to the inside: music, reading, watching inspiring movies etc.
Going to the outside: mingling in clubs, gigs, exhibitions and nature, our friends and our mother
And what was your inspiration for the S/S collection 2011 in particular?
Jim Morrison aka ” The Lizard King” was a big inspiration, which we tried to capture with the twisted leather (lizard like) and print. The collection is called born to be wild, so we wanted to motivate our customers to let out their own inner wild child and to enjoy themselves.
Can you tell me more about your creative process?
We work together the whole process, starting with research, moodboards and first sketches, only when it comes to the technical part we split up, and I work closer with the pattern cutters and Annette focuses on the accessories, which are a big part of our business.
Are there any designers you look up to?
Azzedine Alaia & Rick Owens
Jessie J & Jaime Winstone wearing Felder Felder
Who would you love to design clothes for?
We dressed already a lot of amazing singers and actresses, but we also would love to make dresses for a movie or dance eventually, as we love the creative input of such collaborations .
What do you think about designer collaborations with big high street retailers?
I guess, it is financially rewarding for the designers and makes it possible for people to purchase a piece, who could not afford it otherwise. So I think , it is an alright deal for everybody. As long as you can identify somehow with the high street brand that you design for .
What is your relationship with bloggers?
We like bloggers.
Do you read any blogs, and if yes which?
Not so many, too busy, but we always read them if somebody mentions us and we get an article forwarded .
Is there a difference between making clothes for yourself and designing them for others/collections?
Yes, you have to be more aware what your potential customer would like to wear and that they do not have one standard body shape. We are really tall and quite slim, so it took us a while to figure it out. We have a customer base now of all different body shapes and ages (between 15 -65), so I guess we are doing fine.
You also design accessories, what accessories do you prefer to wear?
I always wear a FELDER FELDER belt, we have staples of them, skinny belt, medium belt, corsage belts with all kind of different studding. There is a FF belt for every different occasion
Describe your personal style?
A lot of black, and during the day a lot of comfortable knit wear (the myth of being fashionable in the studio doesn’t really work), when we go out , we dress up in FELDER FELDER dresses or coats mixed with a bit of vintage and killer heels . FROCK’N’ROLL!!!
Many thanks to Daniela from Felder Felder!
picture sources: www.facebook.com/FelderFelder, www.felderfelder.com & www.fashionwindows.net
