Young designers put their spin on fashions of the future

A Jaqueline Brutsche design. Barclay Catwalk - Jaqueline Brutsche design

Zurich is hosting a major international fashion show this weekend to highlight young and emerging talent. Called "Visions of Upcoming International Designers", the show features the work of 18 young Europeans.

The show is celebrating its third anniversary and is being held at the swimming baths in Oerlikon on Saturday evening. Among the designers taking part are students from the Royal Academy of Anvers, Central St Martin’s School in London and the Studio Bercot in Paris.

Zurich will be represented by two students from the city’s design school. “Now that I’ve found out it’s a really big thing, I’m a little nervous,” says 23 year old Jacqueline Brutsche. “I didn’t know that much about it when I sent off my application.”

Jacqueline has put together a daring collection called “Superba”. “My collection is meant to be fun entertainment. I did big screen painting on clothes based on pin-up girls from the 50s and 60s. The wearer can play with the idea and try on another body. It’s a game.”

The other Zurich participant is Jacqueline’s classmate, Daniel Ledermann. “Ninety per cent of my collection is leather with prints on it. I use micro-fabrics as well. Leather for tradition and micro-fabrics for vision.”

The Catwalk Show has become established as a major fashion event and attracts great attention from both established designers and the media.

“It will be great to see how it all works on the European floor,” says Daniel Ledermann. “And to see how other young designers are working and expressing themselves.”

Neither Daniel nor Jacqueline is quite sure what to do in their careers. They’re not even certain they want to pursue a future in fashion. But taking part in the show is a great chance to find out whether the catwalk is the place for them.

by Michael Hollingdale