Young designer Julian Zigerli delivers an eruptive mix of colours and prints in his Spring/Summer 2013 collection, with designs that join fine materials with technical finesse. The collection is the brainchild of a creative collaboration with artist Fabian Fobbe, an old school mate of Zigerli’s from their not-so-distant student days at Berlin’s UDK.
Fobbe’s paintings, which are characterised by strong contrasts, inspired Zigerli’s designs. With a name that evokes the faint memory of a pop song, the collection My Daddy Was a Military Pilot appeals not only with a catchy name but also with vibrant colour gradients, while greys and silver tones run against the pastels of the prints to enhance the powerful contrasts. Flora and Fauna play an important role in Zigerli’s universe of references and he and Fobbe looked at the manta ray for this collaboration, which, swimming underwater, reminds them of aeroplanes up in the sky. The sheen of its skin is echoed in the choice of materials: silk, satin, cottons and hi-tech fabrics are used side by side. The entire collection pays homage to nature, creating a balance of clear structures and organic shapes. Zigerli’s trademark integrated backpacks appear here in vests and pullovers.
While Fobbe’s graphic paintings informed the collection, the artist’s new works, too, have been equally informed by the colour explosions of Zigerli’s designs. Parallels between their work methods abound, especially the tendency towards abstraction, which leaves enough room for interpretation. What did both get from the collaboration? Zigerli benefitted from Fobbe’s technical prowess in developing the prints, and Fobbe is excited to see his art presented in a new context, installed in a showroom together with the collection. He sees it as a way for art to enter everyday life, without the ‘art’ tag and freed from the restrictions of presentation in a space.
But it’s not all that serious – humour is key for both creatives’ work. “Otherwise my clothes will just be functional” says Zigerli. “I’m very happy with the collection” he adds, “I want to collaborate on another project with Fabian, this time in Zurich.” “Oh, really? You didn’t tell me about that.” Fobbe is obviously hearing it for the first time. “Great, let’s do it!”
You heard it here first…
Text by Finja Rosenbaum
Fabian Fobbe is represented by “Laden Fuer Nichts” in Leipzig.
www.julianzigerli.com
www.fabianfobbe.de