2_1_DiscoverGermany_Issue32_November2015:Scan Magazine 1
26/10/15
19:20
Page 18
Discover Germany | Special Theme | Swiss Design Highlights
Fashionable, fair and absolutely unique Luxurious Pashmina shawls are a true classic and highly popular around the world. The label catherine henggeler, of renowned Swiss designer Catherine Henggeler, stands for vibrant beautifully coloured shawls in cashmere as well as scarves in silk. Catherine takes great pride in ensuring that high-quality production is done by fairly paid workers. TEXT: INA FRANK | PHOTOS: CATHERINE HENGGELER
Pashmina means cashmere. When Catherine travelled to Nepal in 1993, she brought pashmina shawls to Switzerland for a lady who wanted to sell them. However, she was not convinced of the colours. Catherine decided to take over the dyeing process herself. Since then, each piece is individually hand dyed by Catherine in her atelier. Carrying her hand-dyed Pashmina samples, she ventured out to find clients in London and NewYork. A client in London put her in touch with Donna Karan in New York in 1996. This sparked the trend of the ‘90s: Pashmina shawls in many colours, which have remained a classic. It was actually Catherine Henggeler who introduced the unlimited colour palette of Pashmina shawls internationally. Design meets art Recently Catherine has focussed on the Swiss market.This allows her to visit the retailers offering her diverse collections. The
18 | Issue 32 | November 2015
buyers can select pieces to compliment their seasonal fashion. By maintaining a supply of undyed shawls Catherine can respond promptly to her clients’ needs. Back in her studio, Catherine’s skills allow her to keep a wide variety of seasonal colours.
Through the creative process of designing, dyeing and stitching, Catherine develops new techniques and products to expand her catherine henggeler collection. Inspired by her father’s vintage postcard and book collection, as well as the panorama of the Alps painted by the grandfather of a friend, she recently developed a range of Swiss motifs digitally printed for her on silk in Italy.These scarves have proven to be a hit. The SCHWEIZER HEIMATWERK showcases and sells the best of Swiss design and catherine henggeler scarves can be purchased at their three Zurich airport shops,