"Düsseldorf is always like a vacation"

The name of the Schneider-Esleben family clan from Düsseldorf is world-famous. Paul Schneider-Esleben left a trailblazing mark as a star architect, his son Florian Schneider-Esleben was one of the founding members of electro pioneers Kraftwerk, and his death in 2020 was mourned worldwide. And - Sophia Schneider-Esleben, the architect's granddaughter, is known as a fashion designer who creates sustainable, fair fashion. On the occasion of the exhibition "Electro. From Kraftwerk to Techno" exhibition at the Kunstpalast, we spoke to her about her collaboration with Kraftwerk graphic designer Emil Schult. 

The famous "Haniel Garage" in Düsseldorf was designed by your grandfather, the architect Paul Schneider-Esleben. Today, as a fashion designer, you transform his watercolors into dresses and blouses. What memories do you have of him?

My grandfather painted two watercolors for me, one for my birth and one portrait when I was about 8 years old. I always painted pictures for him in response, so to speak. That got a bit out of hand, so he asked about my school career ... He was strict, but also loving and playful, full of stories and ideas: always a source of inspiration. I was particularly impressed by his studio and workshops. I still draw inspiration from his watercolor boxes and blocks of paper that were always lying around.

And what personal connections do you have to the fashion city of Düsseldorf?

Düsseldorf is my home because it used to be my family home. Now I come here for work, for fashion fairs and customer visits. I love coming to Düsseldorf, it's always like being on vacation.

As a designer and fashion producer, you go your own way: you have reinterpreted your initials SSE to describe your attitude - "Slow Smart Eco". Where can people buy your designs? Also in Düsseldorf?

Initially internationally in my online store, in Düsseldorf at Roberta The Store, a concept store for sustainable fashion - and in many other boutiques, which can be found in my store locator.

A new collection of yours is dedicated to the legendary train fleet, Trans Europa Express, TEE, which connected the cities of Europe between 1957 and 1987. You collaborated with the artist and Kraftwerk graphic designer Emil Schult, who designed the original cover of the LP "Autobahn", among other things. How did the collaboration come about?

At the funeral service for my uncle, Florian Schneider, co-founder and electro pioneer of the band Kraftwerk, I met Emil Schult - "the eye of Kraftwerk", as he is also known - in April 2020. Emil is a long-time friend of the family, so we reminisced and made plans at some point. As a gift, he brought his book "Fluxus to Future", two kilos of art history! Emil immediately supported my long-term concept of reviving my grandfather's watercolors as a tribute. He spontaneously offered to choose one of his artworks and include it in my collection. I chose the TEE as my motif.

The song "Trans Europa Express" by Kraftwerk says: "We walk into Düsseldorf City and meet Iggy Pop and David Bowie". What music do you like to listen to when you work, what inspires you?

It depends on work, the time of day and my mood. Pretty much every style of music has its highlights. What always works for me is electro, funk, soul and classical music.

You can find a suitable article about Emil Schult and his art here.

Our author

Gerrit Terstiege was editor-in-chief of the magazine "form" for many years and has published three design books. He writes regularly for Mint, Art, Monopol and Rolling Stone, among others, and has conducted numerous interviews with Diedrich Diederichsen, Bazon Brock, Klaus Theweleit, Richard Hamilton, Donald Fagen, Klaus Voormann and Leonard Cohen.