Mad Enchantress

My 'WorkSpace',  the Floor....

"There is no art in turning a goddess into a witch, a virgin into a whore, but the opposite operation, to give dignity to what has been scorned, to make the degraded desirable, that calls for art, or for character.”- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe.

My first women's collection is called 'Mad Enchantress'...Through this collection I try to take what has been repressed, what has been stamped by history, by societies, by religions, as dangerous, as dark, as crazy, as witchcraft.... And turn it into what it is: women's empowerment. It's my ode to women around the world who create, who are successful, who are independent, who are entrepreneurs, who live their lives, who stand up for what they believe in, who don't silence their voice, no matter what the consequences, no matter how high the price. I don't design for 'perfect' women. I design for those who embrace their flaws and turn them into idiosyncrasy. The irreverent ones. The crazy ones. The memorable ones. The Mad Enchantresses. 

xxx

The Awe of Haute....

'On-the-Go' in Zara skinny jeans, Diesel t-shirt, Stuart Weitzman Heels, H&M fitted blazer...accessorized by DKNY flat cap and my loyal companion, oversized white leather bag that fits all...by Hugo Boss. 

In the last years I have been part of interesting discussions built around the subject “luxury”. Questions from both brand owners, fashion designers, Hollywood writers and product designers crossed my desk (and inbox). Questions such as “How do I turn my high-quality product line into a global luxury brand?”, “How do I translate a luxury brand into a movie?”, “Is black the color of luxury?”,“Why are luxury brands still reluctant to engage their audiences through digital media?” and “Why are luxury brands still hesitant towards E-Commerce?”

Fair and interesting questions proofing that luxury is keeping today’s mindset busy. Not so surprising as “Luxury” has become quite the slippery term. From a business and brand placement point of view “high- quality” and exclusive “ready-to-wear” collections are “branded” and priced as luxury. But is it?

Now working on my own fashion collection, the term 'luxury' crossed my mind again. I design for the woman who I am, or desire to be... And I do feel that my line should be a reflection of my personal moments of luxury, as it's these moments that I cherish. But what is it that I define as luxury?

Mothers Day 2012: Je suis maman....

My biggest inspiration? To look at life in the city, through Indy's adventurous eyes....

From the first time I laid eyes on you, I felt so incredibly blessed that your path and mine had crossed....The last two years have been a roller coaster ride of adventure, beautiful moments, my personal growth, change, discovery... I've learned so much from you, you taught me to live in the moment, to find joy in little things. When you show me that nothing is scary enough not to try (no slide too high!), you teach me to do what I want to do and to do it now, because the joy of doing it can be so great..Sometimes the world can feel overwhelming, but when I feel your little hand in mine, or your two little chubby arms around my neck, the world feels not big enough. I enjoy how you grow into an independent, beautiful, creative person with such a kind, loving, insightful soul. I enjoy every second I spend with you and I wish I did not need any sleep, because I don't want to miss a thing. Indy Obermeier, you are an angel in disguise. Your wings will lead you to wherever you have to go in this world, and I will enjoy your journey every step of the way. I am so incredibly happy to be your mom.... I love you, little Prince. Although love seems an understatement.

xxx

Introducing: My Muses

My first fashion article ever published was about Fashion Designers and their Muse. With pen and paper in my hand, I dove full-headed into the relationship between Marc Jacobs - Karl Lagerfeld - Stefano Pilati - Frida Giannini -Viktor and Rolf - Dolce and Gabbana - Stella McCartney - Yves Saint Laurent - and their Goddesses of Inspiration. It turned out that the influence of a Muse on a collection can be quite grande. The Muse also became a returning item in later interviews I conducted with fashion designers, as the answer provides for a clear understanding of their collections and the person they are designing for.

Now that I'm working on the designs for my own collection, I realized that my Muses somehow have one thing in common: Paris.....I guess that flirty insouciance of La Parisienne, who mixes simplicity with sophistication, defies convention and makes luxury look casual and cool is a style that reflects a mindset that is my own. Urban, free, bohemian, coquette, sophisticated, satirical, rebellious.

In other words J'adore une femme à l’élégance unique. She is no angel, but she could be if she wants to. Not afraid to reinvent herself, she walks a path that is her own. In high heels. She loves what she does and is confident and proud on what she has accomplished in her work, family - and social life. Time is her luxury and she spends it wisely. She is an independent woman, a creative artist, pushing herself beyond her limits, in pursuit of her ideas and vision. A mom, a wife, a girlfriend, a sexy tomboy at heart. Adventurous. Raw. Strong. Caring for those few she has selected to care about. She can laugh at herself. She loves to read books, visit art exhibitions, travel to unknown destinations. She speaks her intelligent mind, but is also a great listener, as she is interested in other people's opinions, as long as they have one. She never seems complicated, yet always intriguing. She has an iconic simplicity, but always turns heads.

Who is this woman? Let me introduce you to my Muses...

Once Upon A Time in Berlin....

..... a fashion journalist decided to realize her long-time fashion dream and design a collection that would reflect her story without compromising on traditional craftsmanship....

No desk for me. I love to sit on the floor, surrounded by notes, range plan, my muses and what inspires me: a sunny day in Paris, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Laetitia Casta,... and sketch.

After much deliberation, going back and forth and forth and back in my mind, after filling booklet after booklet (and napkins, receipts...) with notes and sketches, after talking about it (especially to myself, in first and third person), after doing lots of consumer research (is there anybody out there who resembles me?), after seeking fashion wisdom from Markus (being married to a man whose international expertise in the business side of fashion is worth its weight in gold, can definitely be enlightening)... I decided I should just do it. Because in the end...isn't this what I always wanted? Using the Art of Fashion...to bring the stories I have inside of me, all the tales I want to tell, to life, through textile, fit, print and design. So...I take on the fashion challenge, combine my design, illustration, styling and writing skills, and turn Priscilla Obermeier into a complete women's collection for the affluent urban rebel, who lives life according to her own standards. Who can be a full femme fatale, while at the same time fill the room with tomboy laughter. Who is a rock star bohemian by heart, but also enjoys moments at the library. She reads the Classics while listening to Hip Hop music. She has traveled the world, appreciates Degas and street-art. She surrounds herself with different cultures and has a natural curiosity in the world around her. She is independent, but dares to love. She can run this town. But only if she wants to. 

Growing up surrounded by fashion artisans and creatives gave me an up close and personal insight in the process of dressmaking, design, illustration and comics (my father was an illustrator and comic artist), painting, sculpting, writing and storytelling. My mother was highly qualified in the art of sewing (from fur coats to bridal gowns to lingerie), and as well designed her own jewelry. Playing dress up in my mom's self-made dresses and skirts, her fringed stiletto cowboy boots, or green suede platform boots, while accessorizing myself with her jewelry designs (think heavy copper chandelier earrings and XL copper cuffs), made me enjoy Fashion as a Grande Theater of playfulness. And ever since I saw the fabrics designed by my grandfather (blue silks, pink birds, golden flowers) I saw Fashion Design as a way to imagine, to create my own Neverland, Wonderland, Oz and Treasure Island.