The Collaboration STF x TRAUFFER (FW24)
The Story
Creating a Look for a Stage far from my own.
When we first met Marc Trauffer, he appeared completely different from the traditional Swiss image often associated with him. Instead of folk and nostalgia, he embodied something modern, bold, and rock-inspired. That unexpected mix immediately sparked my creativity.
I wanted to merge elements that rarely meet: traditional Swiss costume culture and rock music and expand the concept even further by questioning "the norm" gender boundaries in the swiss culture. The theme of gender and identity is something deeply personal to me, and it plays a central role in my creative work. I wanted to explore what defines masculinity or femininity in fashion today and what happens when we simply let go of those categories.
The result is a unisex look that feels rooted in Swiss tradition, resonates with the energy of rock music, and challenges the deeply ingrained gender "norms". It brings a dialogue about identity, culture, and freedom to a stage where no one would expect it.
The Design
The vest is inspired by Marc Trauffer’s classic frack, which he usually wears for performances. It features the traditional red and white bands from the Berner Mutz, large golden buttons with chains that reference the bold jewelry often used in Swiss traditional costumes, and bands on the sides and back that give the garment movement on stage and allow it to be adjusted for different sizes, whether masculine or feminine.
The trousers are shaped like a skirt silhouette. They feature two side panels using the traditional Swiss smocking technique, adding movement, flexibility and volume. The front includes two panels of black lace, edged with the same red band as the vest, and finished with the same golden buttons for cohesion.
The look is completed with matching gloves in black lace with cuffs of a floral print (as in the vest). It can be worn as a full ensemble or separated and styled with other pieces, making it highly versatile and stage-ready in any performance context.
The material
For this project, we worked within certain material boundaries. The prints were developed in collaboration with STF (Sara Schaer) and Marc Trauffer, and the fabrics included white linen, organza, red satinette, black denim, black chiffon, lace, personaliset prints among others.
The material played an important role in the design. The trousers are crafted from Swiss linen produced by the swiss company Swiss Flax, while the vest is made from upcycled black denim jeans, and the lace is deadstock. Additionally, white organza was incorporated into the trousers to give them structure and create a soft, skirt-like silhouette, blending tradition with modern form.
The first project
This project was the first ever assignment we tackled at STF (Swiss Textile School). It was quite a challenge, as I had little prior knowledge of traditional Swiss costumes, and the world of traditional Swiss fashion isn’t really my usual environment.
On top of that, we were working with a real client who had a clear vision of what he wanted, which can be tricky when you have your own creative ideas.
I believe projects like this are perfect opportunities to bring attention to topics that are often overlooked. They allow us to offer new perspectives and remind people that there are always different ways of seeing and experiencing the world.
THANKS TO:
Marc Trauffer & Team
STF
Professor: Sara Schaer
Model: Romeo Olimpio
Photoshoot assistent: Charis Hiestand