Gottex celebrates its 60th anniversary with style

Karen, you started designing swimwear in 2005, at the Gideon Oberson haute couture studio, and you stayed there until your present position of Head of Design at Gottex. We would love to know more about you and the world famous brand you work for.
What is the most important think to have in mind when designing swimwear?
There are two main important things I keep in mind when designing swimwear:
the first is the woman I design the swimwear for, and the second is the inspiration stories I create for each season. The challenge is to create a new collection for the Gottex customer each year with the inspiration stories in mind and with a focus on newness, comfort, sophistication, chic and glam.
Is the swimwear you design closer to fashion or intimates?
It is a combination of both fashion and intimates. On the one hand there is a focus on the fit, comfort, support and inner structure that relates to the intimates. On the other hand the swimwear category is part of the world of fashion, and goes hand in hand with it. This means the trends within the fashion world in terms of patterns, design, textures, embroideries and decorative accessories are mirrored in the swimwear category. For example, the one-shoulder swimsuit and cutouts are inspired by the one-shoulder and cut out dresses.
Another example are the textured fabrics that have a strong presence both on the fashion world as well as in the swimwear world
Can you name some of your most iconic styles?
Some of Gottex’s most iconic styles throughout the years have been the squared-neck tank, surplus, bandeau, pareo and kaftan.
What is, in your opinion, the reason of their success?
The reasons that these styles are the most iconic ones are that they are very comfortable designs that provide inner support and they give women comfort when wearing them while flattering their body at the same time.
They also go hand in hand with the world of fashion and trends. However, it is very interesting to see that over the last few years there is a strong entrance of sexier, trendier and, more sophisticated styles that take a central part within the collection, for example the cut outs and the lingerie tanks. Of course we make sure that these styles are also comfortable and flattering to wear.
What has been the major product innovation you have achieved in your career?
The major innovation I achieved was designing and creating the 60th anniversary capsule collection, an additional mini collection for the Cruise 2017 collection. The innovative thing about this collection is that I had complete freedom to use any fabric or material I chose, to create exclusive embroideries and hardware, and to design any styles that I felt would represent Gottex in the most glamorous, sophisticated and high-end way possible. All styles are innovative in terms of their design, material and structure.
Can you unveil more on this anniversary collection?
We developed extravagant, exclusive laser-cut embroideries with sequins embroidered on top of different kinds of mesh and nets, foil printed fabrics, fabrics with silver lamination, velvet lycra, Swarovski crystal fabric, special macramé motives made of black bindings and crystals, plain silver lurex fabric combined with laser-cut motifs of the same fabric, prints in gold, bronze and silver shades, black and white unique styles with exclusively designed pear accessories.
It's all about sexy suits and extravagant details that are sophisticated and distinctive.
How would you describe the DNA of Gottex today?
Gottex's DNA today is composed of glowing prints, vibrant colors and vivid versatile outfits for swimwear and beachwear. The Gottex brand is associated with high quality, fashion swim and glamorous après wear.
The collections can be worn "from the pool to the bar" and then to a restaurant or cocktail party. We stand for chic, sophistication, glam and high-end fashion.