Exclusive ODEEH interview with the designers Jörg und Otto
This is your second season showing at Paris Fashion Week. Why Paris?
We love Paris. It’s a beautiful and inspiring place. In regard of the shows we think that Paris is the city with the highest level of creativity and the most exciting mix of collections. Young designers show next to established couture houses and new upcoming labels. We feel comfortable around this kind of competition and want to be measured by it.
Odeeh is a young label. What does it take to be successful in the capital of fashion?
If you want to have success you have to be good in everything you do. Only then you have the chance to survive in this brimming market
How do you create your collections?
By now we make six collections per year: the pre collections, défilé collections and two limited capsule collections. They are all intertwined and complement each other. Sometimes a collection starts with a postcard from some random place, a vintage piece maybe from London or Tokyo or other apparent trivial things. There is always a little trigger and it is quite interesting to see what develops out of it. For instance, this winter collection was inspired by a book about historic paper cut-outs which made us invent a new world of prints and designs. A vintage skirt from the seventies was the inspiration for a new silhouette and graphic design. Everything from Odeeh, every print and fabric is developed by us and for us. We think it’s great to know our manufacturers and the people working for them on a personal level. The contact with our ateliers in Germany is very heartily but professional at the same time. It makes us able to react more flexible and guarantees a high level of fabrication, which is what ODEEH stands for.
How would you describe the common workflow?
Each of us has their main focus points: one more in design and sketch and the other more in developing fabrics and a collection concept. Nevertheless, we decide on every piece which goes into the collection together.
How do you solve disagreements?
Taken that we’ve been working together for so many years we developed a common understanding for what the other likes and trust this intuition. Still, we do fight sometimes, have disagreements and have to find a solution. This is extremely important, otherwise we would remain static and this is the worst that could possibly happen in fashion. Sometimes we agree straightaway and sometimes a good conflict can lead to the best possible outcome. We actually always challenge each other and the collection benefits from it.
How much do current trends influence you?
We are very much influenced by everything that’s happening around us. It doesn’t always have to be in a fashion context but everything we create has to have the “ODEEH Moment” in order to match with the label. We are committed to be independent in everything we do. That is the most important thing for us.
How would you define the Typical ODEEH woman?
Self-confident, passionate and open to new horizons. No fashion victim but highly interested in what’s going on in this world. Ageless.
Is there a certain person you would like to create an outfit for?
That would simply be our customers. They are the most important women; we want ODEEH to appeal to them. A lot of our friends wear ODEEH and we are extremely happy about that.
Where do you see ODEEH in 5 years?
Certainly a bit bigger and more international. We want to continue the partnerships with our retailers who have been accompanying us from the start. The most important thing though: not to grow too big in order to maintain the high standard and level of precision we have at the moment.