Quick-Fire Questions With Paula Knorr
Ever since she knew such a job existed, German-born, London-based designer Paula Knorr wanted to work in fashion. It was that or-when she was really young-be an opera singer. "But I doubt I have the talent," she says now.
The opera's loss was fashion's gain: within a year of Knorr's graduating from London's Royal College of Art, her star has been on the rise. It's her tactile, tinsel-strewn creations that have done it, landing her a coveted spot on the Newgen roster as part of London Fashion Week this September-Newgen is the arm of the British Fashion Council that showcases the best new London talent-and winning her the highly coveted International Talent Support (ITS) Fashion Award in Trieste, Italy, last year.
Which, all in all, makes it the perfect time for us to get to know the Frankfurt native a bit better. Everybody, meet Paula: Paula, meet everybody.
What's your first fashion memory?
My mom encouraging my sister and I to create costumes and outfits and help her to sew. These were basically my first moments designing.
What was the first thing you ever made?
A pleated skirt and a top I made out of silk ribbons for my sister when I was 10 and got my first sewing machine.
Are you a minimalist or a maximalist?
Both. I love bold colors and extreme materials, but for designs I always aim for the most simple but on-point cut.
Describe your aesthetic in a sentence.
It's all about female sexuality and powerful emotions.
Do you have a woman in mind? If so, who is she?
It's not just one. It's all the women that surround me. I get inspired by their body language, attitude, and emotions.
Do you have a signature item?
What do you find yourself designing again and again?
Pieces that are far too transparent to sell!
Why do you love the shiny stuff?
I love how fabrics change the body shape beneath the cloth. Shiny fabrics really emphasize the silhouette underneath.
Sequins or beads?
Sequins
Lamé or jacquard?
Lamé
What is your preferred method of designing?
Observing body posture, movement, and attitude, and creating concepts to translate that in designs.
Who are your fashion designer inspirations?
Vivienne Westwood, Lutz Huelle, and Haider Ackermann.
Why London?
It's bursting with creativity, and I love the freedom in design that the college tutors encourage.
What's been the biggest lesson you've learned?
I'm still working on learning how to be more positive and excited about what I create. I sometimes get quite negative with the stress.
What is your own personal style like?
Black, a lot of knits, and dresses.
What item can't you be without?
Hairbrush
Dalston or Hackney?
Dalston
Cab or Uber?
Uber
Absolutely Fabulous or The Devil Wears Prada?
Absolutely Fabulous
Heels or sneakers?
Sneakers
Where do you want to be this time next year?
In London and hopefully making money with my brand.
For more, see paulaknorr.de.
