Photography by Benjamin Hohner. Image Courtesy of Christian Wijnants.
The Antwerp-based fashion designer Christian Wijnants has moved to the German capital to open a new store, bringing his innovative knit designs and elegant silhouettes to Berlin. Having graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Art and spending time working for Dries van Noten, Wijnants launched his eponymous label in which he fully embraces his fascination for knitwear and love for simple, easy to wear yet still refined garments.
SLEEK talked to Christian Wijnants about the energy in Berlin, the inspiration behind the design for his new store and his personal connection to knits.
Photography by Benjamin Hohner. Image Courtesy of Christian Wijnants.
SLEEK: How does Berlin influence your design process?
Christian Wijnants: The energy in Berlin, especially the people and notably the street fashion are very eclectic, so many different crowds, styles, movements. People are dressed in their very own unique sense of style, compared to other metropolitan cities which is really inspiring. They really own what they wear.
S: How did you envision the architectonical shop design in your new store?
CW: The idea was to have a certain sense of respect for the existential part of the store. I didn’t want to start from scratch, rather build from the existing structures of the store including the floor, ceiling, walls and the counter, everything that was already present. We also wanted to add a strong diagonal composition for the lighting and structure, with new walls to really emphasise the new presence in the store.
S: Who was involved in the shop design, what was your idea and inspiration?
CW: We collaborated with AAS which was founded by French architect Pierre Jorge Gonzalez and his German counterpart Judith Haase, who both hold a reputation for their spatial concepts. An interesting feature in the store is the hand-drawn brass hanging display, it gives a personal and poetic approach to the store. I also wanted to have a mix of materials that are eclectic, that’s why the store features both brass and silver elements, with plush pistachio-coloured carpeting fusing with the walls that are in a lush Gio Ponti green.
S: Your designs are often knitted and crocheted. What brought you towards this craft?
CW: I have always loved knitwear. There is something exciting about the idea of making your own fabric, starting from just a yarn and experimenting with 3 dimensionality thanks to stitches and shapes, only different loops interconnecting to form a fabric.
It’s great to have technique where you can feel the yarns through your fingers when you knit or crochet, at some point it’s almost meditative. For me, it symbolises the idea of comfort, a sense of ease and feel-good emotions. Also, there are so many techniques to explore, from intarsia, jacquards, round knits and many more stitches and colour options; the possibilities are endless.