“I prefer to work hard and sacrifice myself for my own designs and my brand. I love my job with all its difficulties, challenges, ups and downs and satisfying moments. I chose a creative business so why should I not create my own job?” H Y P E
disordermagazine.com 5 CAROLIN HOLZHUBER SARAH YOUNG talks to the luxury footwear designer about starting her own business, and loving the smell of leather. Recognised for her conceptual approach to design, Austrianborn Carolin Holzhuber has become one of the most audacious entrepreneurs in the industry. With designs that are complex, dynamic and wondrously sculptural, footwear is not just about being wearable, to her it’s about creating new shapes, challenging preconceptions and discovering hidden beauty. We spoke with Carolin to find out just what it takes to go solo. During high school, Carolin Holzhuber would line the pages of her workbooks with fervent sketches of clothes, knowing full well that she was destined for a career within the fashion industry, “I always wanted to do something in my life where I can draw but at the same time create something three dimensional. My parents gave me books about fashion illustration so I started copying them and practiced in my free time.” Extending her fascination with design, Carolin went on to study fashion in Vienna, where she developed a penchant for shoemaking and the smell of leather, “I was fascinated by the handcraft, all the little steps and detailed works that makes a shoe complete. “I also fell in love with the wonderful material leather, the smell, the touch.” Having found her path, Carolin decided to move to the UK and study at the London College of Fashion where she graduated with an MA in Fashion Footwear. Life after graduation comes with a myriad of concerns, most notably that of prospective employment but for Carolin there was only ever one option – to start her own business, “I prefer to work hard and sacrifice myself for my own designs and my brand. I love my job with all its difficulties, challenges, ups and downs and satisfying moments. I chose a creative business so why should I not create my own job?” The idea of being her own boss proved too appealing an opportunity to miss. Carolin credits her achievements to the ability to accept that sometimes things won’t always go your way, “The biggest challenge is to accept mistakes; it’s natural when you start your own business but the most important thing is to learn from them.” “I want people to look closer at things and discover hidden beauty. We should question more; a shoe is not only a shoe. For me, footwear is a luxury product that can also be a work of art.” Developing a brand requires absolute dedication and the motivation to succeed but most importantly, an original concept. Carolin uses her work as a mouthpiece for her thoughts; fascinated by the human body, its beauty and its complexity, she challenges the traditional definition of footwear, “I want people to look closer at things and discover hidden beauty. We should question more; a shoe is not only a shoe. For me, footwear is a luxury product that can also be a work of art.” As the business develops, Carolin believes that her considered approach and ability to stay true to her design aesthetics are what will continue the momentum of the brand’s success, “You have to offer customers a different product. Why should they buy shoes from a new designer if they can have a similar product from a well-known brand?” Carolin continues to build her brand step by step with the introduction of a new SS16 collection where she will combine sculptural pieces alongside more wearable, commercial footwear, “The right balance is vital but the handcraft will always play an incredibly important role because it lasts forever and this gives people a good feeling – the feeling of luxury.”
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