Starting from the forest, going through the merchant, then the cleaner brining everything together.Īrj: Since these professions don’t really exist anymore, how do you envision people putting together your outfits?įL: Well, the chimney sweeper is still around. A guy on the rooftop and smoke coming from the chimneys. And the last guy I was interested in was the chimney sweeper, as you can see in the pictures as well. The next kind of person I was interested in was the guy selling it, getting the coal from the burner and bringing it, selling it to the people. This was interesting to me, the loneliness of man working deep in the forest, burning this fire.

You were very lonely, just mountains of wood. So the fireman in the forest…a profession that’s basically extinct now. So my ancestors probably were doing something with leather.

In Germany it’s called Köhler, which is still a popular last name, just like my name is Leder which means leather. You have the guy that makes the charcoal in the forest who places logs and burns them in a controlled burn. The other reason was I wanted to buy German fabrics, explore Germany…when I was in London I was renting cars driving around Germany getting inspired by people and places, and thought that was something I wanted to pursue more.Īrj: How does that feature in this new collection? I know in the past you sought out obscure groups that people outside Germany wouldn’t know about.įL: It’s based on scenery and smoke. But when it comes to production and explaining your ideas it’s important that every detail is right. I can speak English reasonably well though now it’s a bit rusty because I don’t speak it so often any more. I’m originally from Germany so it’s easier to speak my own language. But starting the business, finding people to work with, being serious about producing, in London it was kind of difficult to set up. I started working roughly 2000-2001, I moved to Germany and started producing collections and started to sellĪrj: What was it about London and what drove you back to Germany?įL: I like London for 8 years, I really liked it, but it might be too expensive. I was in London until 2001 for roughly 8 years. He kindly dedicated some time to speak with No Man Walks Alone about his many endeavors.Īrj: If we go back to the beginning…early 2000s…įrank Leder: Early 2000s, I moved to Berlin. His creations include tailored clothing, to knitwear, and - more esoterically - a line of cosmetics rooted in German tradition and nostalgia. His work references the colonial past of his homeland, often inspired by historical workwear and military uniforms. He gained many prestigious accolades before moving to Berlin and founding his atelier, which is as inspiring as at the man behind the work. Although German by birth and instinct, Frank Leder began developing his brand in London, after graduating from the famous Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, where he received his MA with distinction.

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