Background: This German native (and former professional dancer) studied at the School of Visual Arts, Parsons and Fashion Institute of Technology. She launched her first signature collection in 2002, and currently teaches in the Fashion Department at the School of the Art Institute.
The Pieces: Structural-yet-fluid women’s clothing that is simple, versatile and elegant. They combine intriguing cuts, high-quality materials, inventive techniques and total originality.
Designer inspirations: Vionnet, Halston, Geoffrey Beene, Jil Sander, Rick Owens, Maison Martin Margiela. “Here in Chicago, Shane Gabier and Calvin Tran are very interesting designers,” Schnabl says.
Chicago Inspirations: “There is a tension, visually, in core areas of Chicago, especially visible in modern architecture next to industrial structures, that I find very intriguing.”
Best part of being a designer in Chicago: The independence.
What to look for: A presentation at Chicago’s Fashion Focus 2008 in early October.
Where to find Katrin Schnabl designs: At Habit boutique and at habitchicago.com, studio-808.com. Find out more at katrinschnabl.com.
Related Stories
Designer Objects: Ania Jaworska Jaworska talks about her SET furniture series.- Designer of the Moment 2018: Ann Lui Along with co-founding partner Craig Reschke, Lui runs Future Firm, a homegrown architecture and design research office focused on how creativity and innovation can radically transform our lived experiences. She will be serving as co-curator for "Dimensions of Citizenship," the exhibition that will represent the United States in the U.S. Pavilion at the 2018 Venice Architecture Biennale.
- Designer Objects: Crucial Detail / Martin Kastner Martin Kastner discusses the object that he's designed.
- Designer Objects: Lake + Wells / Mark Kinsley and Tamera Leigh Staten These Chicago designers choose Jax, an object they’ve created.
- Designer Objects: Parsons & Charlesworth / Tim Parsons and Jessica Charlesworth Parsons & Charlesworth use designed objects to comment on issues of relevance.
- Designer Objects: Sung Jang Laboratory / Sung Jang The designer discusses his Mobi module units.
