2024-03-08
Interview with Fashion Designer Viktoria Lorenz (Part 2)
‘Extraordinarily minimalistic’ – this is how Viktoria Lorenz describes the style of her own creations. The talented designer from Wiesbaden is currently working on an unusual project together with the Museum Reinhard Ernst. In this article, we reveal what the fashion designer has created especially for the mre. (Have you missed the first part of the interview? Then click here.) Over a hot drink in a cosy café on Wiesbaden’s town square, Viktoria Lorenz told us more about her collaboration with the Museum Reinhard Ernst:
Long before I knew which department of the mre I would be creating a design for, the Reinhard Ernst Collection inspired me to make numerous sketches. Further ideas sprouted after the decision was made that I would dress the shop staff.
In my design process, I always focus on a central theme. That is why I carefully observed the details during my visit to the museum. One element in particular stuck in my mind – the square. It can be found throughout the architecture. This also applies to the atrium, which particularly fascinates me with its open and pleasant atmosphere. That is how I decided to take up the square in my designs for the mre.
The next step was to work together with the museum’s team to develop the final garment. Which design did you choose?
We opted for a shirt that will be worn by the shop and ticketing staff. The special feature of this garment is that it works well on its own while at the same time fitting seamlessly into the overall look and feel of the museum. You will find the mre logo on the cuffs. There, the signet’s central square element is translated as a hemmed cut-out. It creates a three-dimensional effect and also reflects the openness of the inner courtyard.
Another interesting detail is the collar model, which was deliberately designed to be gender-neutral. It is based on the classic shirt collar, but the design has been reduced to the collar band and ends in a V-neck. This look creates a minimalist yet neutral appearance.
Genderless clothing was above all a point that was very important to the mre and at the same time an exciting new topic for me to tackle. When designing the shirt, I opted for a loose-fitting silhouette rather than a close-fitting one.
The concealed button placket supports the minimalist design of both the museum and my line. I like to describe my designs as ‘extraordinarily minimalist’. It is the fine little details, as in the Museum Reinhard Ernst, that determine the quality of the final product and make it unique.
There is an ingenious feature of the shirt, which contrasts with the main theme of the square. Would you tell us more about it?
In fact, the yoke, the pattern piece for the upper back, deviates from conventional styles. For this part of the shirt, I designed diagonal curvy stitches based on the statue ‘Pair’ by Tony Cragg, which was made especially for the museum.
It is incredible how much of a museum’s architecture can be embodied in a single garment! What did you base your choice of fabric on?
We chose a cotton poplin for the shirt as it is used as workwear and has to withstand a certain amount of wear and tear. Wearing comfort for the shop and ticketing staff plays an important role which is why the elasticity of the fabric and easy-care features are crucial. The shirt also fulfils a sustainable aspect thanks to the Oeko-Tex® certification of the fabric.
You really have thought of everything. Finally, can you tell us what will be your next steps?
This project is something special and not a mass production. So, during my last visit at the mre, I already took measurements of the future shop staff together with Ines Gutierrez (Head of Retail and Digital Marketing). The next step will be producing the garments.
Thank you very much, Ms Lorenz, for taking the time for this interview.
I am really looking forward to seeing the shop staff in action wearing the shirts!
Please let us know your thoughts about this exciting project on LinkedIn! We are looking forward to reading your feedback and sharing the final results in due course!
#museumreinhardernst #abstractart #fashiondesign
All photos and videos by Viktoria Lorenz