The brand
Gretchen stands for leather accessories with a distinctly modern design language. Embracing a holistic concept, the sculptural aesthetics of the creations focuses on avant-garde shapes and precise cuts. Elaborate details such as hand-applied profiling s or architecturally shaped bottom constructions fuse with the softer body and create a new vision of a handbag.
Gretchen designer Anne-Christine Hofmann claims that "Design is only half of the equation. The other half is the material itself." Balanced material combinations of finest glazed and waxed calf leathers are therefore typical elements of the distinguished Gretchen style. The natural texture of these leathers exudes timeless luxury and makes the colorful collections vibrate vividly.
The thoughtful balance between artistically constructed elements and wearable accessories aims to inspire the independent spirit of our days.
Headed by the designer and co-founder Michael Georg Schmitt, Berlin-based Gretchen challenges the conventional and gives way to new concepts
The designer
German designer Anne Hofmann was born in 1981 into a family business of leather goods. She grew up surrounded by fine leather gloves in the family production, and throughout her school and university education (in business, not fashion) she has worked in leather goods. From selling handbags in a store in France, to visiting tanneries in Scandinavia, New Zealand, the UK; from presenting the collection at trade shows in Milan, and working as a designer to selling to professional accounts in London and Madrid Anne has taken in all aspects of the business.
"I never wanted to study fashion… sure you can learn techniques about how to develop a collection… but you can’t 'learn' creativity. Either you have it, or you don’t."
After having designed an estimated one thousand different glove designs Anne was looking for a new challenge, a new product: handbags.
Whilst for a glove the shape is predetermined and the design is all about the details, in her handbag creations Anne felt free to focus on different shapes and experiment with forms. The results are pure and precisely cut handbags in combination with a distinct, sculpture-like aesthetics.
After completing her university degree she launched her own accessories brand Gretchen, with a range of handbags, belts and yes, of course also gloves.
"The base for all that I do today lies in the gloves. This tiny little accessory has taught me so much. I couldn’t have undergone a better school" says Anne-Christine.
Gretchen stands for leather accessories with a distinctly modern design language. Embracing a holistic concept, the sculptural aesthetics of the creations focuses on avant-garde shapes and precise cuts. Elaborate details such as hand-applied profiling s or architecturally shaped bottom constructions fuse with the softer body and create a new vision of a handbag.
Gretchen designer Anne-Christine Hofmann claims that "Design is only half of the equation. The other half is the material itself." Balanced material combinations of finest glazed and waxed calf leathers are therefore typical elements of the distinguished Gretchen style. The natural texture of these leathers exudes timeless luxury and makes the colorful collections vibrate vividly.
The thoughtful balance between artistically constructed elements and wearable accessories aims to inspire the independent spirit of our days.
Headed by the designer and co-founder Michael Georg Schmitt, Berlin-based Gretchen challenges the conventional and gives way to new concepts
The designer
German designer Anne Hofmann was born in 1981 into a family business of leather goods. She grew up surrounded by fine leather gloves in the family production, and throughout her school and university education (in business, not fashion) she has worked in leather goods. From selling handbags in a store in France, to visiting tanneries in Scandinavia, New Zealand, the UK; from presenting the collection at trade shows in Milan, and working as a designer to selling to professional accounts in London and Madrid Anne has taken in all aspects of the business.
"I never wanted to study fashion… sure you can learn techniques about how to develop a collection… but you can’t 'learn' creativity. Either you have it, or you don’t."
After having designed an estimated one thousand different glove designs Anne was looking for a new challenge, a new product: handbags.
Whilst for a glove the shape is predetermined and the design is all about the details, in her handbag creations Anne felt free to focus on different shapes and experiment with forms. The results are pure and precisely cut handbags in combination with a distinct, sculpture-like aesthetics.
After completing her university degree she launched her own accessories brand Gretchen, with a range of handbags, belts and yes, of course also gloves.
"The base for all that I do today lies in the gloves. This tiny little accessory has taught me so much. I couldn’t have undergone a better school" says Anne-Christine.
