PERRET SCHAAD X Silhoutte - Design with Passion

Written by Meghan Scott

As we immerse ourselves in the abundance of fashion from the Autumn/Winter 2018 collections, we contemplate which pieces will reign supreme for the fashion set, watching the shows in each city and drooling over our favourite wares. And then comes that alluring moment, when we come across a “see-now/buy-now” opportunity. This concept is tricky for most designers showing runway collections, the means just aren't available just yet. There has been an interesting alternative to keep us connected to the collections before they hit the stores and Berlin’s hottest fashion design duo, PERRET SCHAAD have realized this for this season.

As consumers become increasingly educated in their purchasing habits as each day passes, and keeping up with the fast-fashion cycles can be dizzying, it has become a trend that the average shopper tends to invest in a collaboration piece or an item from a capsule collection from a brand, especially before the main collection is available. The luxury Austrian eyewear brand Silhouette, a household name in eyewear, known for their minimal lightweight frameless designs has collaborated PERRET SCHAAD creating a collection named Tital Minimal. The Icon. Johanna Perret and Tutia Schaad share the commitment for reduction, and unique and functional design, which is the DNA of this collaboration. The duo has been compared to the likes of Jil Sander, and have incited Berlin’s fashion scene to the forefront of the current circuit.

The dynamic shape juxtaposed with a print on the lens in an array of colours that reflect the AW18 collection, give us a full-frame modern sunglass look. Four strong combinations of frame and lens colors that allow them to see the world in their own way: copper with orange-blue, brass with mint, dark red with gray and gold with caramel. 

Working with Johanna and Tutia was very inspiring, and we quickly found common ground as designers,’ explains Roland Keplinger, Silhouette’s head of design. ‘It was interesting combining the fashion side of things with our technical know-how, which was a key factor in making this extraordinary piece of eyewear.’

At the show, in an intimate atmosphere, the models were arranged in a “Last Supper” arrangement, socializing quietly and subtly taking turns taking a stroll towards the audience. A colour blocking palette of pastel pinks and green, mixed with greys, browns, purples, and accents of iridescent orange, blues, and purples in a mix of satin silks, chiffons, light wools and jersey were draped in structured a-symmetrical contrasted with symmetrical figures. These elements created a perfect ambiance for the sunglasses to shine. Archive pieces were added throughout as they usually bring back selected pieces in their collections. When asked about the inspiration for this collection, they told me that it was intuitively; a special feeling in the air they felt together. They also told me that they feel good working with Silhouette, because it is a family run business and that they are produced in Austria and Germany, sourcing materials from France and Italy. 

This is the fourth collaboration that the CEO of Silhouette, Jan Rosenburg has participated in. ‘PERRET SCHAAD focuses on individual people just like Silhouette does, and this principle informs their functional, yet perfectly-formed designs. Silhouette’s iconic “Titan Minimal Art – The Icon” shares the same DNA.”

The sunglasses are currently available and we can adorn our face with PERRET SCHAAD while we enjoy the summer days and when the season changes, we will be ready to wrap ourselves in our favourite runway look. Shop here.