It is a period of reflection that relates to aesthetics, taking place before considering the restraints of production. In conversation with designer Julia Heuer
The beginning of the label: Julia Heuer
I originally started out with my studies in textile design and was mostly interested in sculptural textile design, textiles in the fields of the arts. I got an internship at Jakob Schlaepfer in St. Gallen, Switzerland and was ever since fascinated by the creative freedom the design team had in creating innovative and extraordinary textiles for the fashion industry. I completed a two years scholarship where I focused on the Arashi Shibori and afterwards started to work at Jakob Schlaepfer as a textile print designer.
At some point both positions naturally came together and the label was born. The beauty and handcraft specialties of textiles inspires me the most. Colors, patterns, surfaces and how they bring each other to life. For most of the prints, we start analog. By painting, spraying, collaging, whatever technique it may be. Then we digitalize the artwork and continue to work on it digitally to make a print design for textiles out of it.
I am always in discussion with my suppliers, looking for recycled PES qualities. We are currently testing some recycled materials to pleat, hoping to find something that we can work with. We also create hand pleated garments. The pleats are made by independently trained women of various ages and backgrounds that have each been trained individually in the process of the Arashi Shibori. This makes each piece unique and worthy. I am keeping it like Vivienne Westwood: Buy less, choose well.
Julia Heuer brand
Julia Heuer is a brand that is best known for dynamic prints and artisanal, handmade plissé. Before launching her eponymous fashion line, she was the Head of Print Design for renowned textile company Jakob Schlaepfer. During her tenure she created unique prints for various fashion houses such as Christian Dior, Comme des Garcons, Calvin Klein and others. Most recently, Heuer was awarded the prestigious Swiss Design Prize in 2016 for her collection Adobe Indigo.
