Credit: Marlen Keller

Julia Seemann was born in 1990 in Lucerne. She currently lives and works in Zurich. In February 2014 she completed her studies at the Institute for Fashion Design in Basel at the Fachhochschule Nordwesschweiz and worked for the labels Vivienne Westwood and Meadham Kirchhoff in London.

Since then, the work of Julia Seemann has appeared in well-known magazines such as Indie Magazine, Numéro Tokyo, Vogue Italia or Dazed and Confused.

The Spring/Summer 2017 collection was developed in collaboration with the artist Ramon Hungerbühler. The collection combines Seemann’s designs and Hungerbühl ‘s painting as independent levels, as they have started the respective design process by themselves. This process has been deliberately chosen to emphasize the effect of ‘layering’ and the abstract line on clothing.

What is the task of design?

The task of design is to reflect and understand the world we live in and to translate these experiences and emotions into products. Good design contributes a lot to the quality of living and it allows us to enjoy the objects which surround us.

How does design change life?

It adds a big value to everyday life in terms of making life easier. Let’s think about objects like the typical swiss potato peeler, which many people can’t think away anymore from their daily routine. Design is not essential for survival, but it enriches life a lot in many aspects.

Is design always interdisciplinary?

In my opinion it’s the core part of the design process. A designer always has to work with different techniques, materials and manufacturers – for me, it’s important to work together with other people from different fields to create the best products as possible.

When does design reach its limits?

When a product is only aiming for function or style. In my opinion, good design is a perfect balance between both aspects.

Is good design invisible?

It’s not always about the aesthetic or the look of the product itself, but also about the story and the atmosphere the designer creates around the product. It also depends where the focus is; on the product itself or the story behind it. In the best case there’s a logical combination of both. In my opinion, good design often isn’t visible at the first glimpse.

Must design create something new?

I think it’s not mandatory, as it’s always depending on the designer, the subject, the object involved and the designers intention. It’s often about reinterpretation and enhancement rather than the creation of a completely new product. To me design is about understanding, interpreting and improving existing products and being with the Zeitgeist.

Which designer influenced you?

Iconic Fashion Designers such as Vivienne Westwood and Raf Simons inspire me in terms of research – they draw inspiration from cultural aspects, which flow into their work. Having a relation to and an understanding of culture is key for every designer.