156 When it comes to fashion in Germany there are only a few labels that are really making it into the international market. The Munich based fashion label is one of them. Founded some years ago by the two sisters Beate and Jutta Ilzhöfer, Ana Alcazar is one of the most successful labels here in Germany. I had the pleasure of having a chat with the two creative minds behind the label. About their long journey into the fashion world, the new collection, and their love for fashion design. Also, I wanna thank Federica, Christina, Pascale and Nico for producing this great editorial for our new issue. Fashion designed for strong women. KALTBLUT: Beate and Jutta, a warm welcome to KALTBLUT. We are big fans of your label Ana Alcazar. Tells us something about your background. What made you get into fashion? Be: Hello Marcel, this really pleased us very much! We are also very big fans of your magazine and find it great to see how successful you are internationally as well. Sometimes we feel a bit reminiscent of ourselves back in time; a private label, or in your case to bring your own magazine new on the market, that takes a lot of energy, stamina and courage. Respect! Ju: True, it was not always easy, but if you stay true to yourself and believe in your work then that's a big step already. My sister and I come from Swabia and wanted to get out and discover something new. During our time in Milan and Paris we kept ourselves afloat with modeling jobs. Be: Right. It hasn't always been very easy. To get modeling jobs you have to go to this or that party in the evening - it was not about fun but only to find new jobs. This was in the long run too stressful for us. We did not want to go back home. Munich, we always found so exciting, even as little girls traveling through on the way to Italy vacations. The fashion scene at that time was more open and more exciting - there were no mono-stores. While Ju continued modeling, I earned some money as a graphic designer to add to the pot. Ju: At that time we used to go out a lot and started to sew our nightlife outfits for ourselves. This was well received and we had a lot of fun with it. Well, there were already the wildest creations forming - we wanted to stand out, and so we didn't remain undetected. The first requests came and we started tailoring outfits for our friends. Yet it never crossed our minds that we would someday start a company. Be: That we could live on this? I never would have thought. We were brave and had of course also tried to sell our clothes in stores. Our first attempt, I will never forget: We went to the Ludwig Beck in Munich, a renowned shop, and had our tailored clothes with us. Edler jersey from the fifties, with coarse sacking that we stole from some scaffolding at night. Ju: Our pulse was beating like crazy, but the buyer was more than impressed and bought the goods immediately. The next day we got a call that all outfits were sold and he had rarely experienced such a thing. We could be certain of a second order. So things went on little by little and today we serve nearly 1,000 retailers in Europe, Australia and Russia. KALTBLUT: Both of you have been involved in the fashion world for over 20 years now. Is it easier to go this route as a team? Or can it also be a hindrance working together as sisters and having a daily business to maintain? Be: It is not easy, certainly not. The fashion industry and the market makes no difference whether one designs alone or whether it's two or three people working together. But it is beautiful. The close familiarity and being able to completely rely on each other, those things offer security. This gives you a certain earthiness. There are also clear separations, which is extremely important in teamwork. We cannot each of us do everything at once, which would bring unnecessary confusion and waste time. And obviously: we do also not always agree - but with us there is no fighting or bickering. We are sisters, but also reliable business partners. KALTBLUT: Do you still remember the first piece of clothing you designed? Be: No, I do not know now. Ju: No, I do not know what the first model was. But I can remember moments connected to a certain style. KALTBLUT: You are based in Munich, this is where you are at home with your label. Why just there and not in Milan, Paris or London like many other labels? Ju: We have lived for years in Milan and Paris. Both wonderful cities, but we had fallen in love with Munich at that time. Our friends and our families are at home here. Here we feel comfortable. KALTBLUT: You are also big Berlin fans, though. Why is that? Do you show your collections here at Fashion Week as well? Be: Berlin is absolutely breathtaking, no question about that! During Fashion Week in Berlin, we are showing at Show & Order, every year, and then in the evening we go on great discovery trips. It is always exciting and the city is changing so rapidly, almost too quickly. Hopefully Berlin can preserve its charm. Who knows, maybe you'll find us in your neighborhood in Berlin soon. KALTBLUT: When I look at all your previous collections, I would say you do not own a typical trend-oriented fashion label. You've got your own personal style. Can you describe the Ana Alcazar woman in a few words for us? Ju: Self-confident, fashion-conscious, bold, feminine and no interest in mass-produced goods. KALTBLUT: The collection that we photographed for the Noire theme is almost completely in black. What is your inspiration for this collection? Be: We design 4 collections each year. We are very pleased and happy that you have photographed exclusive parts of our first Ana Alcazar Black Label Collection. With the first Black Label line, we have focused on
157 Lex Dress: Vintage Earrings: Zofie Angelic