An embroidered napkin from grandma reminded me of the fine tradition of personalised linen. Napkins displaying a monogram, name or word make lovely gifts and can be ordered from me. The napkins are made from 100% pure linen and are embroidered in Zurich.
The Thing I like: an old tradition in a new style…
I received the prototype samples of my knitwear today. Yay! They were manufactured on wonderful Swiss knitting machines dating from the early 1910/1920s, which were sourced and restored back to their former glory by Werner and Mr. Eichenberger – I’ll tell you the whole story later. First let me enjoy these children’s blankets, which my mum sewed together by hand (danke tausig!) – I’m also looking forward to designing woollen caps and scarves and a whole lot more. The Blankets can be ordered from me or can be purchased at my booth in Leipzig at the Designers’ Open.
The Thing I like: LANG yarn from Switzerland knitted on Swiss machines in a little village between Zurich and Basel.
I devote my favourite number to my favourite city.
A sunny morning in Bedford Avenue, a new bag and wool cap from www.catbirdnyc.com, a walk to www.brooklyndenimco.com and a wonderful meal at marlowandsons.com. Followed by a visit to Mast Brothers Chocolate and a great evening meal at www.txikitonyc.com.
My perfect day.
The MIH watch is a miracle of know-how, technology and design. That said, it’s the opposite of brash – there’s nothing to give away what’s inside the case. The MIH is a voyage of discovery. I like that.
My good friend Kevin Blanc www.kevinblanc.com bought himself one some time ago, and it’s because he did that I met Christian, I bought my ilmias and I’m now writing this blog.
This trainer manufacturer has a wonderful story, and ilmia is one of the reasons for my blog. Time for a chat with designer Christian Gafner.
LM: How did you come across ilmia?
CG: It was back in 2004; I was delighted to find something on the internet that was not being marketed. It felt like I was the first person to discover it – it gave me the feeling I could be different from everyone else. I ordered a pair, wore them a long time, then ordered another pair, then another.
LM: How does someone get to be a trainer manufacturer?
CG: I don’t make the ilmias myself – they’re handcrafted in Germany. But my technical know-how as an industrial designer really helps. That said, I had to learn a lot about how trainers are made. Like the wristwatches I’ve been involved in (the MIH watch and Porsche Design), the ilmias need a whole lot of individual components that have to be developed and ordered from the right people. Maybe I have a shoe gene – my grandfather made footwear, too.
LM: What’s the most important thing for you when you’re designing?
CG: The challenge of product design is how to achieve reduction. It’s harder to cut something out than to overload a product. When it comes to creating something that endures, function and quality are just as much part of the equation as the choice of materials.
LM: How do you see ilmia going forward?
CG: I hope to make a contribution to the ilmia story by continuing to design authentic and distinctive products.
The Thing I like: wearing my brown and white pairs with my wide-legged jeans and my blazer from Tatjane.