Steffen Schraut

Photo Courtesy Of Steffen Schraut 

WHERE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW AND HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED THERE?
Living in Düsseldorf, Germany, a beautiful fashionable city next to the river Rhine, for almost 25 years. My reason being here is the love of my life, with whom I'll be celebrating our 27th anniversary soon.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
At the Countryside in South of Germany. In a little village near Stuttgart, the town of Mercedes Benz and Porsche

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR PRESENT CITY OR HOMETOWN?
The inhabitants like to call it "the little Paris on the river Rhine," which is kind of true. It's cosmopolitan. It's international. With the largest Japanese population outside of Asia. The city has amazing architecture and a great fashion scene.

WHAT WERE YOUR ASPIRATIONS GROWING UP?
Becoming a circus director. And I still I believe I would have been a great one.

WHY DESIGNER? 
It's in my genes. We've been developing and producing women wear for three generations. I guess seeing my mother and my aunt running the family business, influenced my choice of profession.

WHERE DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR TRAINING?
Watching the tailors and sewing ladies in our big atelier at the company. Interacting with Italian fabric manufactures, and also working with German designer Margarete Ley of Escada in the late 80’s.

WHAT'S YOUR PROCESS FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION?
It always starts with the idea of a new colour theme. Colours are the most important part for me to start the direction for a new collection. After this, I check my inspiration list from my last trips, what  I felt, what surprised me. The beginning of fabrich research. And then it is just a flow of a no-rules. Silhouettes, body tailoring, length, accessories, sketching, and finally the whole puzzle ends up on my creative mood boards.

WHO OR WHAT HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOU? 
I don't really focus on a single person. It's seeing people in the streets. In New York, Brooklyn, Los Angeles or Tokyo.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE AND AESTHETIC?
A detail can be too much and sometimes it's not enough. Like with art, I like to be surprised and need an exciting moment. So, there is no strict rule to my personal style and aesthetic.

WHAT MOMENT ARE YOU HAVING?
One of excitement. The show for my next collection is around the corner and we're on a tight schedule.

WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO WHEN YOU'RE NOT WORKING?
Sports. Early morning runs, wherever I am, and gym hours ,are among my daily routine. On lazy days I enjoy reading books about fashion, architecture and photography. And you will find me at any given museums.

HOW DO YOU UNWIND?
I like to read books, with great photographs of art, fashion and architecture. I can surf for hours on Instagram, connecting with my friends. But most relaxing is spending time with my partner and having long walks along the river Rhine.