One of our favorite designers in Milan is the Austrian Arthur Arbesser. He has established himself as an independent voice specializing in floating clothes with elaborate print work, which we see rooted in the world of Op Art. Often created in black and white, they give the viewer the impression of movement.  Arbesser is also no stranger to colorful and vibrating patterns, which he shows in the fashion film, he created for the Spring/Summer season. Lately, Arbesser has also been busy creating costumes for the stage and at the end of March his creations for Rossini’s Barber of Seville will be premiering at Teatro Valli in Reggio Emilia. Hence, a perfect moment to catch up with our friend.

Achtung: Why this fashion film now?

Arthur Arbesser: First of all it took us ages to get the cut, colors and sound right as Andrej Jelic who filmed it and Sasa Crnobrnja who did the music both became fathers last Christmas. And then we also said, let’s not stress, we have no real obligations.

We wanted to get it out once we were all happy with it and the Spring 21 collection was delivered to shops and available online. It was actually also nice to have something in the pipeline at an unusual time.

A: How has your 2021 started?

AA: It got better after a rather depressing end of 2020. I felt positive again and got excited how nicely our new Fall 2021 collection came together. Then we shot it at the beginning of February and all that felt like a sweet start into another clearly odd year.

A: Tell us about your extra projects like costume design?

AA: That’s really what keeps me happy at the moment. On March 26th we will premier with a really edgy, very fun Barbiere di Siviglia production by my friend Fabio Cherstich at Teatro Valli in Reggio Emilia. It’s a beautiful theatre from 1850 – from door handles to lamps all 100% original. So this production will look so good there. I’m very excited. Plus, on April 7th the ballet Der Schneesturm by choreographer Andrey Kaidanovsky goes live at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich. It’s after a short story by Alexander Pushkin but will be anything like dusty and historical. For me, it’s invigorating to work with singers and dancers. You learn so much and all that truly broadens my horizons.

A: What’s your hope for 2021?

AA: To keep going with our label with two small, considered collections a year. Caring less about the system as such and trying to enjoy the freedom we actually have right now. Plus more stage projects, more side gigs like interior design and generally keeping up the good spirit and staying healthy – mentally and physically.

A: Your honest plan for this summer?

AA: I will do a ballet production in Vienna, which will be filmed at the end of August. So my plan is to be back home in Austria before we start filming. I haven’t seen family and friends since last July. So this year I am really in the mood for that.

Film credits:

A film by Andrej Jelic with Bronte Coates, Tamsir Thiam & Tim Suessbauer

Styling: Hannes Hetta
Casting: Rene de Bathory
Hair & Make Up: Ginevra Calie
Music: Sasa Crnobrnja
Director of Photography: Tenzin Sherpa
Edit: Andrej Jelic

Title illustration:

Arthur Arbesser by Caroline Marine Hebel exclusively for Achtung Mode.