HLMW9 is one of Vienna’s top fashion schools, offering a comprehensive education in Economics with a focus on cultural tourism and gastronomy, and Fashion. Students receive a well-rounded education, including practical and commercial training, project work, language acquisition, and cultural trips. The school has a long-standing commitment to inclusivity, teaching hearing-impaired students in both spoken language and Austrian Sign Language.
Education at HLMW9 provides significant career opportunities. Graduates of the three-year vocational school can enter the workforce directly, while those completing higher-level courses can pursue university studies. The school’s offerings include a college for fashion and a master school for bespoke men’s tailoring.
HLMW9, A School with Tradition
Located in a historic building in Vienna’s 9th district, HLMW9 offers a stimulating learning environment for 700 students. The school emphasizes teamwork, responsibility, independence, and critical thinking. Modern teaching methods, clearly defined learning objectives, personalized feedback, and space for creativity and individual development are key components of its educational approach, for over 60 years, but known since 1908 as the “Wiener Schneiderakademie”
HLMW9 Fashion Show “Slow 24”
The “Slow 24” fashion show presents a remarkable fusion of creativity and craftsmanship, emphasizing sustainability and individual expression in fashion. This innovative event features ten talented designers, each bringing their unique visions to life through meticulously crafted collections.
Concept
The central theme of “Slow 24” revolves around the slow fashion movement, focusing on quality, sustainability, and emotional storytelling. The collections reflect the designers’ deep commitment to these values, translating their visions into tangible products through a harmonious blend of theory and practice. This event, scheduled for May 2024, was presented at the WUK in Vienna, aiming to merge various art forms into a cohesive spectacle.
HLMW9 Designers and Collections
Melanie Walter: “Magnetic Personalities”
Walter’s collection explores the concept of attraction and the magnetic pull between individuals. Her designs aim to balance the allure and repulsion that people experience in social interactions, creating pieces that are both captivating and thought-provoking. She explains, “We all know them—people who enter a room and automatically attract our attention and interest. We cannot turn our gaze from them; we are hanging on their lips and are always aware of their presence. We are attracted almost magnetically.” She continued, “What makes this attraction? Are they appearances or the clothes? Is it the behaviour or language of the person? And is this attraction always based only on positive feelings? As with the two poles of a magnet, we can feel attracted but also repelled at the same time. Is there a balance between these two states?
Her Magnetic Personalities collection wants to capture the game of simultaneous attraction and rejection. She should be present, loud, and demanding. And dress people who are not afraid of attention.
Emma Hödl: “campari orange”
Inspired by the textures of organic materials and the natural landscape, Hödl’s collection features vibrant, fluid forms that change with movement and light. Her work emphasizes the beauty of asymmetry and the delicate interplay of color and texture.
Eszter Csányi: “Budapest”
Drawing from her Hungarian heritage, Csányi’s collection celebrates the cultural richness of Budapest. Her designs incorporate traditional elements with modern twists, highlighting the city’s dynamic and evolving nature.
Karl Schnabl: “femme/masc”
Schnabl’s work challenges traditional gender norms by blending masculine and feminine elements. His pieces are designed to transcend conventional boundaries, offering a fresh perspective on identity and self-expression.
Emma Egghart: “powerplay”
Egghart’s collection addresses issues of power and autonomy, particularly concerning women’s roles in society. Her designs aim to empower and inspire, reflecting a journey toward self-determination and strength.
Heinrich Poigner: “I/self”
Poigner delves into themes of self-identity and authenticity, questioning societal expectations and personal masks. His collection encourages introspection and the acceptance of one’s true self, free from external pressures.
Melanie Lammegger: “Metamorphosis”
Lammegger’s collection is a tribute to transformation, merging past influences with contemporary trends. Her designs symbolize the evolution of fashion and personal growth, emphasizing resilience and adaptability.
Naya Maresch: “Ich mach mir die Welt…”
Maresch’s playful and eclectic approach reflects her desire to create a world that is vibrant and full of life. Her collection is characterized by bold colors and dynamic patterns, celebrating individuality and self-expression.
Emilia Jurado Alaba: “Systemfehler”
Alaba’s collection focuses on the conflict between internal and external systems, particularly highlighting the challenges of ADHD. Her designs address issues of forgetfulness, chaos, and societal expectations, offering a deeply personal narrative.
Julia Mayer: “you can.”
Mayer emphasizes self-care and self-acceptance in her collection. She challenges societal pressures to conform and encourages individuals to embrace their true selves, reflected in her cozy and comforting designs.
Elisa Gotwald: “Forest – Layers of Nature”
Gotwald’s work is inspired by the layers and textures of nature. Her collection aims to connect people with the natural world, showcasing the beauty of natural forms and the peacefulness they bring. “Living in freedom and ease. Let go of all the stress. This euphoria that naturally and gently fulfils your body. All this and much more can be felt during a trip to nature, in the forest. Nowadays, most people are deaf to such feelings. They are trapped in their routine. Stress and physical complaints are not isolated cases in such moments. In my collection, I want to draw attention to the positive physical and psychological effects of nature on people. This is to be represented in the collection with different colours and layers. Because nature has a variety of colours and feels, I want to convey a mood, a feeling of freedom, thoughtfulness, awareness, and strength. I associate all these skills with nature. Nature is not perfect, just like humans, but it is still beautiful,” says the designer.
Alexandra Forisch: “dissonance”
Forisch explores the interplay between external appearance and internal identity. Her collection delves into the complexity of human experiences, using fashion as a medium to express emotional and psychological challenges.
Sophia Pum: “Verkommen Österreich”
Pum’s collection draws on Austrian traditions, blending elements of Catholic rituals with contemporary design. She addresses themes of community, mourning, and transcendence, creating a dialogue between past and present.
Lorenzo Pirri: “Karōshi”
Pirri highlights the phenomenon of overwork and its detrimental effects on individuals, particularly in Japan. His collection is a critique of the relentless pace of modern work culture, using fashion to raise awareness of this serious issue. In his explanations, he says, “I’m going to die. I’m so tired.””—that was Matsuri Takahashi’s last tweet. The 24-year-old jumped from the roof of her dormitory to her death. She worked over 100 hours in four weeks and took her own life. Especially since the end of the Second World War, such incidents have been more common in Japan. Karöshi, Death by Overwork, describes this phenomenon. Overtime and a few days off are part of the work culture. The increasing demands of the world of work exceed the physical and mental stress limits of many Japanese. This leads to a disturbing streetscape on the streets of Japanese cities, especially in the Shibuya district of Tokyo, with exhausted, drunk people lying on the ground. “High Fashion” is a publication by Polish photographer Pawel Jaszczuk, in which he photographically documents the dark side of the working world in Japan.”
Hannah Schirmer: “Dream on”
Schirmer’s designs are inspired by dreams and the subconscious. Her collection features surreal elements and dreamy aesthetics, inviting viewers to explore the deeper meanings of their nighttime visions.
Elena Majetić: “信じる – to believe”
Elena Andjelina Maria Majetic, an artist aspiring to be able to say, “I have done my best to fill this place with love and understanding rather than hate and ignorance, and to make more people smile and believe in themselves,” when her time to leave this planet has arrived.
The concept behind the collection “IEU 3” Engl.: to believe: Diz-ziness. The empty body crashes onto the ground. Nobody looks. Nobody sees. Except the exploiter. The shape of a foot digs deep into the stomach. A stomach once filled with food. Now it is just empty. A bone gets broken. Again. The lifeless person gets carried away. No one dares to look. A life that wants to be forgotten.
A life that never truly existed. A hall full of people but not a single soul. Freezing wind pierces the bones of the lifeless sewing clothes for the living. A mother and her child. Faces unrecognisable.
Fingers covered in blood. Bodies beaten down. They only needed some rest. But instead, you killed them slowly. A father and his family. Shot. A hole through the head. A poor soul that was brutalised by the rich. Humans have exceeded what is known as greed. This is war. War against the fast fashion industry. War within an industry that supposedly makes people happy.
Majetić’s collection tackles themes of greed and exploitation within the fast fashion industry. Her work is a powerful statement against consumerism, urging people to reflect on the human cost of their clothing choices.
The “Slow 24” fashion show is an evidence of the innovative spirit and artistic dedication of its designers. Each collection not only showcases exceptional craftsmanship but also tells a story, inviting the audience to engage with fashion on a deeper, more meaningful level. Stay up to date on the newest in the world of Fashion, Arts, Beauty and Lifestyle; Follow FAB on Instagram.
Photo Credit: Viktoria Korbler
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