The Collaboration STF x MCM (SS25)
The STORY
The Two-Sided Nature of Love
It’s about the warmth that arises when you feel loved, when affection and safety create a space where you’re simply allowed to be. That feeling of being seen, a spark that ignites.
But what if the spark stays, yet never catches fire? What if feelings arise but go unheard? You begin to hope, to dream, to build an image of the other person, of a possible future together. An image that can never become reality. A picture that grows with every doubt the more tightly you hold on, the less room there is to breathe.
Love becomes a question without an answer.
A “what if...?” looping endlessly in your mind.
With every day that these questions go unanswered, the warm spark becomes a feeling of constriction.
A spark that doesn’t burn, but smolders.
It doesn’t fade...but it never lights up either.
The Collab STF X MCM
Each design student was given three meters of deadstock fabric and leftover materials provided by the brand to develop a Look. The goal of the project was to transform these unused resources into something entirely new, a design that tells its own story while promoting sustainability and innovation within swiss fashion.
Over the course of one quarter, we independently developed a complete look accompanied by an accessory. This included research, concept development, sketching, pattern making, prototyping, sewing, and finishing. And to round everything I as well created a full campaign to present the final result in form of a photoshoot and a video on social media.
The Making Of
We had about one quarter to complete the entire project, which was not a lot of time, especially with the vision I had in mind. I wanted to tell a more realistic love story than the typical romantic ideal. From the very beginning, I envisioned a video to capture the mood and emotion of that story.
Since love is always two sided, I decided to create two looks for this project. We knew that the final designs would be showcased at the MCM store in zurich during a vernissage and a two week exhibition, where each of us would have one mannequin. That meant I had to design a campaign and a look wearable by two people at the same time, yet also united as one piece, all made from just three meters of fabric. It was definitely a challenge, both creatively and technically, especially under time pressure.
In the end the process was intense but absolutely worth it. Working with a brand like MCM and handling such high quality materials was an inspiring experience, and the platform they gave us to present our work was something truly special to me.
The Design
The final look consists of a corset and a jacket with integrated corset elements, created to express the emotions of uncertainty and vulnerability in love. The tightness of the corset captures the tension and breathlessness you feel when you are unsure if the other person shares the same feelings.
Both pieces are built from different sections, symbolizing the various stages of a love story and the highs and lows of a relationship. The corset embodies the feminine, dreamy, and romantic side, enhanced by delicate pearls that highlight its emotional depth. The pearls carry symbolic weight as well, representing the tears both individuals shed throughout the relationship, whether in moments of joy or sadness.
In contrast, the jacket features strong shoulders and a structured silhouette, acting as armour to protect the romantic core beneath.
Designed to be worn by two people at once, the outfit can also function as a single cohesive look.
The full Video
Capturing the mood of a broken love between two strangers
THANKS TO:
MCM
Mcm Team Zurich
Swiss Textile School
Professor: Sara Schaer
Model: Romeo Olimpio
Photographer & Video: Luca Fröhlich
Creative Support: Charis Hiestand