The Knitwear-Darlings by Karin Fraidenraij can not be missed. The cuddly-soft knitting lovers of Lama and Alpaca wool with their great colors, with fresh stripes and cheeky fringes draw a magical spell. Relaxed ruffles, cozy warming capes and ponchos, overly long favorite pullies of undyed wool … And not to forget the pillow cases, lampshades & Co. knitted with XL needle by hand. In short: I was already in love at the first contact with KARINFRAIDENRAIJ. And it is still.
KARINFRAIDENRAIJ – stylish favorite of cozy knitwear
From the first moment it was clear that I did not met these favorite pieces for the last time. Meanwhile, I wrote a label portrait, one of her striped sweaters as an integral part of my fairfashion wardrobe and visited Karin’s wonderfully angry and incredibly cozy studio in Altschwabing. Here I first got a delicious Mate tea from her Argentine home. Whoever looks closely, the pattern of these sheets will also be found in her knit collections. And then we talked about dancing, modeling, knitting and of course about the sustainability of her collection.
Karin Fraidenraij
Karin Fraidenraij – talking to the Knitwear Queen
my-GREENstyle: You have a dance education and have worked as a model …
Karin Fraidenraij: Since I was 12 years old I was doing free dance. At the dance school I started a group with friends. We have worked with artists and made our costumes ourselves. At that time, shortly after the military regime, the underground in Buenos Aires was high. There was no more censorship and I loved to live out my creativity. At the same time I worked as a model.
my-GREENstyle: How did it come to your decision to study fashion at the AMD?
Karin Fraidenraij: I got to know my husband in Argentina. Two years after the wedding, we moved to his German home. Here I quickly got modeljobs at Ella Singh, Escada & Co., I traveled a lot. But I wanted to make something creative again. And I love fashion. So I came to the AMD in Munich.
my-GREENstyle: At that time you already had your son …
Karin Fraidenraij: Yes, I took him to the kindergarden in the morning and I went to study. In the afternoon we did his homeworks. In the evenings and at the weekend, I set about my duties for my studies. I could not have done it without the support of my husband. That was quite a lot. But I am very ambitious and I could and did not want to take a break.
Cuddly favorite pieces of Lama and Alpaca wool
my-GREENstyle: You have a knitting label with dreamlike favorite pieces. How did you got the idea to concentrate on knitting?
Karin Fraidenraij: As a dancer I love elastic fabrics. For my diploma thesis with the theme “Heimat” I then took the Lama and Alpaka wool, which is traditional in South America. This material was not so well known in Germany, although it has fantastic features. It is little allergenic and thanks to the long hair of the lama pillows the wool hardly. One of my favorite films is “In the Mood for Love” by Wong Kar-Wai. And so I have linked the materials from South America with Asian-inspired cuts. The result was my final collection “La Cruz del Sur”.
Knit has to do with nets and connections. With security.
my-GREENstyle: And when did you decide to start a label?
Karin Fraidenraij: To continue the idea with this collection I already had at the AMD. There I also designed the logo. At first I called “La Cruz del Sur”. But the name has existed so often. And because these particularly long, composited German words have made me so enthusiastic, I renamed the label in KARINFRAIDENRAIJ.
Each piece is a work of art of knitting
my-GREENstyle: How would you describe your label in two to three sentences?
Karin Fraidenraij: I process luxury yarn into a mix of Japanese-South American-European silhouettes. I always try to find a center with my designs. Make the best of everything to a new whole. I combine the beauty from South America with the clean chic from Germany and the special Asian cutting techniques like the wide kimono sleeves. A so to speak global collection.
Artful mix of Japanese-South American-European silhouettes
my-GREENstyle: What does sustainability mean to you?
Karin Fraidenraij: Sustainability is quite natural for me as a South American. In South America everything is more organic. The cows run freely. One is more concerned with nature and does not try to interfere with it. South America is not so overpopulated. You can drive for hours through the country and has only nature, nature, nature. Well I´m lucky to have such a home.
Here love is also in the detail
In South America one is looking after nature and does not interfere with it so much
my-GREENstyle: Was it clear from the beginning that you want to produce sustainable?
Karin Fraidenraij: The theme of knitting was first. But I found it great to integrate sustainability. Lama and Alpaca wool are natural materials. And it makes me very happy to work with women who get more independence through their jobs.
my-GREENstyle: And what does it look like?
Karin Fraidenraij: The people with whom I work recycle the water with which the wool was washed. The women I employ are allowed to bring their children to work. Or take the work home with them. There are so many ways to work fairly and sustainably.
Sustainability is a question of consciousness
my-GREENstyle: What makes you personally a sustainable lifestyle?
Karin Fraidenraij: Sustainability is a question of consciousness. Everything is a consequence of one’s attitude. I love fashion. And I wear many parts from my own collection. But when I buy something, I think about exactly, whether I really need it. And I also pay attention to where the things come from.
The hats wear the signature of the knitter
my-GREENstyle: What was the first piece you knitted yourself?
Karin Fraidenraij: I used to crochet with my grandmother. T-Shirts of cotton for the summer. Actually, this was the two quadrangles that were sewn together
With my grandma I used to crochet T-Shirts
my-GREENstyle: And the last one?
Karin Fraidenraij: For my label, I still make some parts myself. Lampshades, pullers for vases and some scarves. I do not think in techniques, I feel free and simply go to the topic. I try what I want, I experiment and I do things, others say that would not work. Everything is totally intuitive. And that comes on. Lots of favorite pieces with Japanese-South American-European silhouettes
Lauter Lieblingsstücke mit mit japanisch-südamerikanisch-europäischen Silhouetten
my-GREENstyle: Meanwhile, you also have a wonderful Living collection. What is next on your agenda?
Karin Fraidenraij: I always have new ideas. Now I’ll do something with very thick wool.
my-GREENstyle: Where do you see your label in ten years?
Karin Fraidenraij: My collection is now also in Japan. Tokyo fascinates me incomprehensibly. During my time as a dancer I was already there. The street is a real catwalk. And I am very proud that my things are there. I am very happy when my things are in a place I like. Perhaps they are in ten years in my home in South America.
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