Best of MyStylery Who: Karim El-Barbari – Interior Designer Where:…
At home with fashiondesigner Claudia von Schacky
Who: Claudia von Schacky – Fashion Designer
Where: Berlin-Mitte
Best of MyStylery
Claudia von Schacky likes to surround herself with beautiful things – even when working. The china “Perlrand” is from Nymphenburg
She is the specialist of fine leather- and fur fashion and made it to a “one-woman-show” within ten years of entrenching on the hard-earned fashion-market: Claudia von Schacky, designer and successful entrepreneur – also in other German-speaking countries – with three employees, a showroom in Munich and in New York and two collections per year. The native East-Westphalian, who did a classic tailoring training and absolved a fashion degree in Munich, subsequently working for Escada, Ralph Lauren and Rena Lange, wanted to do something of her own after 25 years: She created the perfectly fitting leatherpants made of stretching leather. Soon, her clients wanted more, which is why now the label Schacky and Jones also stands for trendy leather dresses and cool fur coats – with certified materials, emphasizes the designer. Since 2005, Claudia lives in Berlin with her husband Andreas Freiherr von Schacky.
The designer skillfully mixes old pieces with new ones. Many furniture and pictures are from auctions. I love Claudia’s cozy style
Fashion designer Claudia von Schacky in her livingroom
MyStylery: How does a chosen inhabitant of Munich end up in the middle of the capitals heart?
Claudia von Schacky: After more than 20 years in Munich I needed a change of scene. Berlin is so inspirational and full of creativity, it really fascinates me. There is permanently something new to discover: Restaurants, shops, exhibitions. I constantly meet new people. Berlin is simply a lot more open minded and more cosmopolitan than the straightforward and beautiful Munich.
Amaryllis in an antique glass vase
MS: In the fashion industry – especially in the international – Berlin and its Fashion-Week is often derided…
CvS: Unjustly! The first fair of the season takes place in Berlin and hence it is important, even though no orders are written here. Berlin gives more impetus than every other city. The only alternatives to Berlin are the abroad metropolises.
MS: Why did you establish yourself in the middle of Berlin and not in the west of the city?
CvS: There is nothing new in the west (laughs). Charlottenburg is like Schwabing. And this is what I had for all these years. I am totally excited about the modern architecture in Mitte, especially in the townhouses in Caroline-von-Humboldt-Weg. Our house was designed by the architect Bernd Albers. No townhouse looks like the other. Some have super modern facades; others stand more for the New Objectivity. There are convoluting-historicizing facades, which remind of the townhouses in London, Amsterdam or the ones on New York Upper West Side. An amazing, prizewinning ensemble, where we feel very comfortable.
The Townhouses in Caroline-von-Humboldt-Weg in Berlin Mitte …
… with different facade design. Award-winning architecture
MS: … and for architecture-lovers it is the obligatory program of sightseeing….
CvS: True, the tourists are dropped off in bus-caravans. But I don’t mind at all. Quite the contrary, I find it funny.
Claudia von Schacky loves porcelain of Nymphenburg, like this Irish Setter
MS: What mattered to you for the arrangement of the flat?
CvS: I’m trying to make things differently and always end up with the same color scheme. I like dark colors and the whole palette of muddy colors.
Furnishings and walls are decorated in warm mud tones. The painting above the sofa is from Karl-Friedrich Lessing
A chic mix: Baroque velvet cushions combined with simple ones from Ikea, which Claudia von Schacky embellished with handmade beading
MS: When it comes to your interior design, you didn’t really adapt to the cool, puristic capital-look.
CvS: I love it modern, but still classic and thus combine old with new. We collected a lot over the years and partly bought it at auctions. Our chairs in the dining room are Art Deco and above hangs a Murano-chandelier, which I could never part with.
The Sabel antelope comes from a hunt in Tanzania, the ancient Murano chandelier is a souvenir from Italy
Claudia von Schackys husband brought the zebra from Namibia
MS: You are surrounded by one or two exotics here, where for example is the zebra fur from?
CvS: My husband shot it in Namibia. This is also where the Sable antelope in the dining room is from. Andreas is forest manager and has a forestry near Berlin, where I gladly accompany him on weekends.
Best I like it out there, amid the nature, in a different world and breathe in deeply. BvH
What an decorative eye-catcher: the Kudah is guarding the staircase
The poster was the invitation to an exhibition. The depicted skirt was sewn from all the skins of the collection
This drawing is the first one that Claudia Schacky bought at an auction
The modern chandelier is a break in style in the harmonious room design
The ancient China cabinet was also purchased in an auction …
… Japanese vases and figurines from the 18th century, brought from a trip to Osaka
“Sumo” by Helmut Newton (2000)
Also for the bedroom Claudia von Schacky chose her tried and tested color concept. The bedspread is made from fine cashmere, the kilims are antique with beautiful colors!
Chinese, colored ink drawings from the 19th century are hanging above the bed head
Lightreflections: The chandeliers in the hallway give a decorative light
