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Fashion Talk

Timna Weber

Designer
Label - Timna Weber

I started my label in reaction to the wasteful fashion industry

London-based sustainable high-end eponymous womenswear label, by designer Timna Weber, is known for its tailored pieces like coats, blazers, and trousers, combined with contrasting knitwear and jersey pieces. In an interview with Fibre2Fashion, the designer talks about her collection and shares her thoughts on European fashion and its evolution.

Fibre2Fashion: How would you define fashion and what motivated you to start your own label?

Timna Weber:

Fashion reflects the zeitgeist of society and culture. It’s about self-expression, from clothes, hair, music, and more. It’s how we decorate ourselves and our lives.

I started my label in reaction to the wasteful fashion industry. I wanted to work in a more sustainable and reflective way that took into account the whole lifetime of a garment, not just the creation. In addition, it’s always been a dream of mine to pursue a creative calling. Being a fashion designer and running my label brings together so many different disciplines: drawing, photography, research, music, make-up and so much more.

 

F2F: Where do you get your creative nutrition? What fashion do you follow?

TW:

One can find inspiration anywhere really. For me it’s about staying curious and absorbing everything I come across, from observing people, going to museums, music, vintage markets, books, travelling, etc.

I especially love the 1990s design work of Belgian designers like Raf Simons, Martin Margiela and Dries Van Noten. But living in London has infused me with a newfound love for the works of Vivienne Westwood who’s been such a key figure in how fashion has changed throughout the years. Finally, I’m inspired by the contemporary, the new wave of talented designers like Charlotte Knowles, Eckhaus Latta, Paloma Wool, Charles Jeffrey, and many more whose work I admire.

F2F: How would you define your collection? Does it have any signature style or fabric?

TW:

With my latest collection series 005 - ‘Multiverse’, I wanted to issue a stark reminder of the state of our post-pandemic world. 'Multiverse' explores the life of a woman and her alternate dystopian universes. In a way, she represents the choices and alternatives we have to face in today’s world.

Each garment’s look contains one ‘core’ and 3 ‘departing points’ into different universes. One world highlights our incessant pursuit of internet fame, another our reckless 24/7 overwork culture, and finally a future where our very materials have neared extinction because of climate impact.

The collection has a big focus on the textiles which have been developed specifically to change and adapt over the universes. A tartan pattern plays the central point of the textiles, which has been developed in different techniques like woven, knitted, and printed fabrics. Like the outfit iterations, the main pattern has been translated into alternate worlds and adapted to different materials and techniques, like knitwear and prints.

F2F: Who is your target audience and where is the clientele majorly from?

TW:

My target audience are women between the age of 25-50 years who want to wear something extravagant, comfortable, made from high-quality materials, and that doesn’t shy away from a bit of colour. My clientele also cares about the environment and where and how things are made. At the moment, my clientele is primarily from the UK and mainland Europe.

F2F: Can you shed some light on European fashion and how it has evolved over the years?

TW:

It’s hard to talk about fashion in Europe as a whole as different countries in Europe showcase different types of fashion. While Italy and France have always been about elegance and good taste, the UK, especially London, has been very much about experimentation, self-expression and looking at what’s next. Scandinavians, who are known for minimalist fashion, is actually a diverse melting pot with very expressive styles in countries like Finland, Denmark and Iceland. In Austria, where I am from, it’s actually quite conservative and you won’t find very daring outfits on the streets.

If there is anything that has evolved over the years, it is that globalisation and social media has unified fashion more and more. Trends are transcending borders and people are dressing more and more in a ubiquitous manner.

F2F: As there are a lot many brands working on tailored pieces, what makes your label stand out?

TW:

I use only 100 per cent natural materials and use very high-quality fabrics. The tartan wool fabrics I use in my collections are woven in one of Scotland’s oldest traditional mills that weave the fabrics for the traditional Scottish kilts.

My signature is to combine knitted and woven fabrics into one piece, creating an assemblage of patterns, colours and expressions.

F2F: What tips would you give to style coats and knitwear?

TW:

Style coats with colourful accessories like berets or balaclavas. For knitwear, adding some silver necklaces and rings can have a big impact.

F2F: What are your forthcoming plans for your label? Are you planning to launch menswear or any other categories as a fashion label?

TW:

I’m currently working on the new series which I will release in September. I’ve also started to organise pop-up shops in London with a few other brands and we’re currently organising one this month. In the future, I’d love to also include more menswear pieces but despite my label being categorised as womenswear, most of the pieces are already unisex. In the latest collection, I’ve also started to include accessories and am offering knitted snoods (neck warmers) and scarfs.

What are your forthcoming plans for your label? Are you planning to launch menswear or any other categories as a fashion label?

Published on: 07/04/2022
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