Backissues

00-JNC04-2015

Issue 4/2015

Cool Cities Stuttgart
Interviews: Christoph Stelzer, Daniel Juric, Katja Egloff, Vincent Bodo Andrin, Dr. Marc Schumacher, Francisco Gonzalez-Meza Hoffmann

THE NEW HOME OF COOL

How fashionable is Stuttgart really? Until now, the capital city of Germany’s picture-postcard region of Baden-Württemberg was never exactly known as the home of cool. But after a short visit during this year’s hot summer, a small fashion flame was ignited and our interest was sparked. The reason: below the polished, smooth surface that Stuttgart is known for, there is something brewing. In particular, the contrast between the wealthy, traditional, conservative majority of the population and the young blood, who are forced to reinvent themselves regularly on a shoestring due to the changes affecting the retail sector, is creating a friction that adds a new depth to the city on the Neckar River.

Also surprising is the high density of retail and shop fitting specialists. In addition to the established top dogs at Blocher Blocher Partners, there are another two new companies here in the south of Germany that also really know their stuff. Dfrost and Zeitgeist Holding are the names of these two successful experts in creating both bricks-and-mortar and virtual sales spaces – for this issue we stopped by both companies to glean some deep insights into the future of retail. Interviews with the creators of this brave new retail world and our Cool Cities special on Stuttgart can be found from page 32. The Cool Cities guide was photographed by a true local: the Stuttgart photographer Nikolaus Grünwald who has a real thing for fashion and architecture.

But we didn’t just head to Stuttgart, we also went further afield to track down fresh inspiration: in Antwerp Marjan Eggers, the owner of high fashion store Louis, explains how she manages to run a successful business with her exclusive and very progressive portfolio. In Bari in the south of Italy, far beyond the reaches of Milan and Florence, where you wouldn’t necessarily expect to see anything avant-garde, Rosanna Fazio, Rocco Vernoia and Ivan Di Turi are making an audacious fashion statement with their Insight concept store. And Möon, the Berlin store run by Sonja Lotz and Ester Fröhler, is also setting benchmarks when it comes to brand awareness and sustainability.

The fast-turning carousel of international tradeshows is another topic this issue. Who is planning what? What are the various focuses of each event? What are the new locations for this upcoming season? In order to guide you through the tradeshow jungle, we got the low-down from all the important trade fair organisers. You’ll find our trade fair special from page 60.

Well-known illustrator Frauke Berg has taken inspiration from this season’s new denim trends: using the famous blue twills from spring/summer 2017 she has created unusual cityscapes for us. And Thomas Schmidt, Jana Clevé and Katia Wik, who were responsible for this issue’s photo editorials proved just as creative. Schmidt, based in Hamburg, captured on camera a tennis trio in a sleek college look, whilst Jana Clevé, who also hails from Hamburg, headed to a park in Blankenese with four smart guys. Katia Wik preferred a more homely environment in which to portray her models. As you’ll see, the striking colours almost stole the show.

We hope 2015 draws to a relaxing close for you and hope to see you at the upcoming tradeshows in 2016!

 

JNC Ads Rectangle Home 06

Advertisement

JNC Ads Rectangle Home 07

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


The
Current Issue