Initiated by Darya von Bergen, founder of the Swiss online magazine, SwissGlam, and the Swiss designer Nina Yuun, the Designer Days: Swiss fashion designers’ shopping pop-up event, took place in Zurich at the creative space — VN Residency.
The purpose of “Designer Days: Swiss Fashion and Design Pop Up” is to create a dynamic designer collective that empowers and elevates the presence of each emerging local fashion labels. The ultimate objective is to unite high-end, artisanal, and authentic local fashion brands, providing them with the ideal platform to showcase their unique offerings in a fitting context.
The talented Swiss designers — some of whom are regular participants of the Swiss fashion show Mode Suisse — NINA YUUN, Tabitha Wermuth, YVY, Studio Remo, Sabine Portenier, Jacqueline Loekito, Mademoiselle L, Lizh, Due Due Studio, LIVIA NAEF, Stéphanie Bircher, Atelier 1985, and Sabina Jäger presented their creations at the innovative pop-up showroom on the 23rd of June in the stylish loft.
The evening was hosted by Darya, who interviewed the designers on stage. Make-up station and goodie bags were generously provided by the event partner Sisley Paris. Sisley is a french family-owned company with over 40 years of experience creating pioneering products: revolutionary skincare, makeup lines, fragrances and hair care products.
The organisers hosted giveaways of beautiful gifts, and the drinks were kindly catered by Terravigna. An inspiring mix of crowd, including creatives, influencers, Swiss press, and fashion enthusiasts, attended the first edition of Designer Days.
Background information about the designers:
Atelier 1985 is a timeless, luxurious and season-spanning fashion for urban women of all ages: high-quality basic pieces that are easy to combine and can be worn 24/7.
The creative hub Due Due Studio wants to set the tone for sustainability as well as for the work of designers. Due Due features a Swiss designer section which supports young creatives who implement a more conscientious way of fashion. The atelier also offers alterations as well as custom designs.
Since 2017, the label Tabitha Wermuth has stood for sustainable clothes made from natural materials. All samples and patterns are made in Bern, and production takes place here and in Ticino and Berlin Kreuzberg. All fabrics come from sustainable sources and are vegan. Clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident and bring out the best version of you from work to the playground – no compromises.
Studio Remo is a fashion design studio founded by Sophie Fellay. Remo’s ready-to-wear and lifestyle limited collections are made entirely from natural fibres, handcrafted into unique textiles made locally in Switzerland. She is dedicated to working sustainably using natural materials — especially Swiss wool, which she handcrafts into marbled wool felts.
Sabine Portenier exemplifies everyday high fashion. In the process of developing her unique pieces, she collaborates with artists, artisans, and designers working in diverse disciplines. Doing so has earned her a lot of recognition in the scene and twice won her the Swiss Federal Prize for Design.
The Jacqueline Loekito label focuses on breaking the norm of what gender-binary should wear. The label promotes freedom of thinking, speech, and dressing for the wearer. Pink is the red thread on each collection, as Jacqueline Loekito wanted to popularise this colour for all gender identities.
Mademoiselle L was created by Laurence Imstepf Fuentes. The label proposes an urban, minimalist, and graphic fashion featuring architectural lines, diverting from the streetwear and sportswear worlds. With an ecological concern and to avoid waste, Mademoiselle L buys fabric from stock, at the end of the series, or recycles fabrics from old collections.
NINA YUUN offers timeless, laid-back elegance that’s cosmopolitan, equivalent to a modular home for the soul. Inspired by the people around her, she deconstructs Swiss precision and mixes it with artisanal techniques and Wabi Sabi: the beauty of imperfection celebrated in Korea. Collections are designed and prototyped at her atelier located in Switzerland, and all products are made in Europe.
The YVY label was founded in 2015 by Yvonne Reichmuth in Zurich. Within a few years, the company had developed into one of the leading independent brands for statement leather accessories thanks to its unmistakable products — which continue to be designed and made in Zurich in partnership with Italian artisans. A surprising combination of Swiss quality, awareness, and perfectionism, Italian expertise in handling leather, and publicity through success with Hollywood celebrities (worn by celebrities such As Madonna, Monica Bellucci, Alicia Keys, Ricky Martin, Kristen Stewart, and more), have ensured YVY a place on the world map of fashion. YVY is entering the watch industry as well, thanks to a partnership with iconic Swiss watchmakers Longines, launching in June 2022.
Lizh delivers new ideas to complete the daily wear. The Swiss fashion label was born from the idea of creating fair fashion that combines high comfort and special design.
Sabina Jäger makes textiles recycling couture. She creates one-of-a-kind clothes for men and women from selected vintage or dead stock textiles.
