It is a legend in fashion-interested circles: out of boredom, the Munich native Iris of Arnim, when she was in the hospital for months after a car accident, knitted a casual sweater in rainbow colors. With the model that hit the unconventional zeitgeist of the 1970s, she found so much well -known among friends and acquaintances that the management of a boutique in Kampen on Sylt was asked.
The young woman – born in Silesia, more of a center and often like a hippie -living estate owner daughter – accepted. Provided that she was also able to offer her own creations that she has now made in home. On January 25th, Iris will be 80 years old from Arnim – and can look back on a big career.
Wild, crazy and creative
In Hamburg, the entrepreneur, who originally learned travel agent, founded her own shop in 1976. This soon developed thanks to their knitting designs. Women’s concentration and later a men’s line one of the few German leading fashion brands in the international luxury segment.
Since 2009, the noblee, also known as ‘cashmere queen’, has been running the label with her son Valentin von Arnim (45). The economist once described his mother as ‘wild, crazy and creative’ in an interview with the ‘Hamburger Abendblatt’.
With her 80th birthday, however, the woman will give her share in the management with the clear facial features and the striking bright hair. A successor has already been found.
Work and private things closely connected
How does she feel – was she repeatedly talked about retreat plans? “It’s not about withdrawing me. I’m gradually becoming a guide from the decision-maker, and I’m looking forward to it, ”said von Arnim in an interview with the German Press Agency.
And adds: “Can you let go of something completely that you have burned all your life? The company has been part of my life for 50 years. Work and private things are closely interwoven for me. ”So she lived behind the sales room in her first shop at the large Neumarkt in Hamburg. “Carpet rolls have been converted into shelves that you keep yourself with what you had,” she describes her beginnings.
Even today, the founder lives in the house of her company, in an airy apartment under the roof near the Area Alster. “In the morning I drive down one floor with the elevator and stand in the middle of my design team, the knitters: inside and the assembly,” says Arnim.
Due to the enormous change in trade and social structures worldwide, the still independent entrepreneur has to master considerable challenges.
“The fashion market changed a lot from the 1980s. The competition has grown constantly, the influences from globalization became stronger, ”says von Arnim. “The number of my customers: inside that sell luxury fashion in their own specialty shops was smaller.” With their high -quality and permanent collection that makes them produce in Italy, “concentration and perfection” are becoming increasingly important.
New tasks and goals
Boredom should not arise from Arnim in the future. In the dpa conversation for her 70th she spoke of the joy of literature and music, meetings with friends and social commitment in her free time – and about her favorite island of Sylt.
Shortly before her 80th, however, the designer does not sound as if she wanted to maintain hobbies in particular. “There are still goals and wishes that I would like to implement,” she says. “Tasks keep me young, I am happy to be able to work with young people every day. I can pass on my experiences and learn from my employees different perspectives. In addition, I am not planning yet. Everything in its time.”