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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.”