Carissa Chesanek

There is no doubt that both Boessert and Schorn knew that design and fashion were their calling since they clearly have inventive minds. "I liked to do handicraft work when I was a child. However, (I) needed some time to do it professional," says Schorn. "After doing some stupid secretarial jobs I started working as a goldsmith and afterwards I began to study fashion."

Boessert states that she may have changed her mind on which medium she wanted to use, but she always knew she needed to work in a creative environment that would involve her working with her hands. "As I was a girl, it changed sometimes between interior, graphic or photography. My whole life I do nothing other than drawing, handicraft, (and) designing."

Boessert/​Schorn started getting their creative juices flowing by attending the Hochschule für Kunst & Design in Halle, Germany, where they studied fashion design, and after that got right to work. "After studying we decided to make projects under the name Boessert/​Schorn. The first thing we did was to apply for the Festival des arts de la mode in Hyères. We took part at the festival and were encouraged to go on. In the beginning, we did different projects (and) our work was more conceptual. Since 2006 we do 2 collections a year which we show internationally on trade shows and showrooms."

These two creative human beings have kept busy over the years, to say the least, and haven’t seemed to slow down since. For those who have not yet been graced by the unique works of these designers, then you may not be familiar with the look and feel of their line.

The style of Boessert/​Schorn seems to be chunky, layered and desirably comfortable, while outrageously jagged and uncannily casual. They describe their influences to be a type of decoration and simple costumes, which you can clearly see in their work. "We really love traditional costumes (like African, South American, or Indian) handcrafted old clothes, also old magazines like -- Sybille -- an old east Germany magazine."

Both can agree that homemade objects have always played a major role in what influences their designs. "We are inspired by handcraft techniques, old handmade things, traditional costumes, (and) foreign cultural clothes." While style is important, they also want another aspect to take part in their designs as well. Their designs are intended to mesh together so looks can meet comfort sensibly. "I think our work is also influenced by the 1920th with DADA, Werkbund and Bauhaus in the way we are searching for an compact design where the form and the decoration goes together by one and the same intervention."

Who were the big wigs that were looked up to as Boessert and Schorn began their fashion career? Boessert says, it changed as the years progressed, and as she grew from a girl who loved Jean Paul Gaultier, she became more in tuned to "Comme de Garcons" while she was studying. She comes forward and says that one thing has always remained the same when it comes to favoring a designer and that is the uniqueness of the design. "I like to see really different and own designers, like Balenciaga."

It is no surprise that Boessert likes designs that reek of individuality, as her own designs explore the very essence of eccentricity. Nothing says uninspired in the Boessert/​Schorn line, but instead it screams exclusive and purely special.

Being so close to their work, they must have something of theirs that stands out in their minds. So what are Boessert’s and Schorn’s favorite pieces in their entire label? They both agree that it is definitely "the knitwear pieces."

When it comes to agreeing on what the best thing about designing is, both Boessert and Schorn can agree that it has to deal with finding the solution to a stubborn problem that occurs daily in the fashion industry. "Design always is a hard battle. You have an idea about something (and) you try to realize it. Rarely it takes the direct way to reach the goal. Mostly it fails; it doesn't work. You feel disappointed. You try it in another way, change the material, the pattern, (and) turn it over. You use the neckline for the arm ... At any time you find a solution. It looks -- maybe not how you imagined in the beginning, but it looks good. This is a very satisfying feeling and I guess it is worth the fight."

According to the designers, the people who are drawn to their designs are the city folk that range anywhere from 20 years old to about 60. Urban area is usually best suitable for Boessert/​Schorn because they offer "contemporary culture, arts and music" all of which seem to associate very well with their designs. Cities also have a take of their own both on and off the street and can embrace many different takes on fashion, no matter how outrageous or classic they can be. Agreeably, the designers say “Japan is a good market” for their work.

The incredibly mistaken designs of Boessert/​Schorn differ significantly from one extreme to another. "People love our style and understand the handmade inaccurate esthetic or they don't like it and can't understand the price because it doesn't look classic chic." Perhaps not everyone may understand something that they strictly do not understand; however, they should always have an appreciation for it. Sonia says that if people can take anything from their designs, is that their clothes, which are "inaccurate, incomplete, (and) stubborn (as a mule)" but are always crafted with "esthetic." She offers that their "clothes are a kind of a house -- to feel comfortable in it." Now, who wouldn’t want that?

It seems as though with the way things are going for Boessert and Schorn, they have a lot to be thankful for. Schorn is happy to have her two babies flourish in the world; one of whom is her "real daughter and the other is (her) work." Boessert marvels at how well the label has done and is proud "to see it growing up." We are proud too, and are excited to see the label continue to bloom.

Although these designers are accomplished and happy with the way things have turned out in their lives, perhaps their curiosity still lurks in the darkness. Is there one person in the world that they would ever consider changing places with, if given the chance? Schorn admits this is a tough question; however, is able to come up with a few names on the top of her head. "Maybe someone like Mother Theresa or Martin Luther King or Gandhi ... because they really believe in their mission and (are) sure that it is the right thing they are fighting for, and I guess they hardly ever (have any) doubt about it.”"

Interesting choice for a designer, but obviously there is more to fashion then just style; there is also intelligence and motivation. There is more than just meets the eye with fashion, especially when there is such a strong name to back it up with. Schorn may have chose strong names as Gandhi or Martin Luther to change places with because they fought for what they believed in, but she and Boessert aren’t doing too bad these days either, and they seem to believe in what they stand for as well: individuality. Things seem to be going well for the powerful duo, but everyone knows that things can always improve and it looks as though they know exactly how to go about it. These gals seem to know how to make their work shown and intend to make their mark even more severe as they progress.

So what are we going to be seeing from Boessert/​Schorn in the years to come? "For the label - more shops where you can buy our clothes." They also will "extend the work to make presentations like fashion shows or exhibitions." Both agree that it is important "every time you can upgrade your work on a label (because) it gives (you) much to do!"

What designer wouldn’t be excited about the stirring advancements in their clothing line? The expansion of Boessert/​Schorn is taking over the fashion world, as we know it, and continues to as time passes. "For the label, every season we work for a growth. We want to find a better structure so that we can outsource more working parts and concentrate on our main work. Presentations like shows, gives so many categories to expand, that's what I like!" Sounds good to us.