The designer Sabrina Dehoff is known for her statement costume jewelry, which she describes as “light-footed in mood, but always delicately executed”. The square ring shape with rounded corners is particularly memorable. She launched her label in 2010, and since then one success has followed the next – stars such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Halle Berry are among the label’s fans. Who is the woman behind the label? To find out, FashionUnited asked her a few private questions.
In addition to jewelry, for which the label is primarily known, they also offer fashion. How long has the clothing collection existed and what sets it apart?
I am actually a fashion designer and have worked as such for many years. [Anm. d. Red. Nach ihrem Abschluss am Royal College of Arts in London im Jahr 1996 mit einem Master in Damenmode arbeitete Sabrina als Designassistentin für Albert Elbaz und Christina Ortiz in Paris.] Since I’ve had my own shop, there have been smaller clothing collections every now and then because I just love that. However, I have had the clothing collection really and regularly since spring 2021. During the first lockdown I had the idea and desire to develop a small collection that would be available in a large, cheerful color palette.
This gave rise to the Crespi collection and especially the Crespi dress, which is still our classic and bestseller and has now been released in many different materials, colors and lengths. The success of the dress is that it suits many women, they feel comfortable in it and it can be worn from day to night. It is a modern version of the shirt dress, casual chic and available in colors or patterns ranging from striking to classic.
I like models that have a certain simplicity and are not overdesigned. It is often the colors, patterns and fabrics that make the model special. For this I regularly travel to Italy and source interesting deadstock designer fabrics. My models are therefore often only available in small quantities. Another trademark of my models is that there are no buttons, instead there are decorative elements such as fastening pins and cufflinks.
Anyone who has such an exciting style when it comes to jewelry and fashion definitely lives in style. How are you privately set up?
The furnishings are very much in the hands of my husband Till Helmbold, who has also designed all of my previous shops and furniture. He has a weakness for Italian furniture and lamps from the 50s to 70s. In our home it is a mix of furniture that he designed himself in combination with designer furniture and lots and lots of lamps. I think there are over 30 in the living room alone, finely orchestrated to create a great lighting atmosphere, plus a huge shelf full of design books mixed with found objects. So with us everything is pretty full and also color, more apartment style and not black, white, beige at all.
What other jewelry and fashion labels do you like to wear?
Similar to the clothing I design, I like it chic but not fancy. I also don’t like things that restrict me or that I can’t eat. I have different brands that I really appreciate.
Dries van Noten makes the best pants. The Christopher Lemaire coats are great and I also have some older Isabelle Marant things. I think shoes are important. Here I love my brown Celine boots – forever Classics. If I could afford it, I would also love The Row.
What is the best way to prepare for a long, gray Berlin winter?
We’re talking a lot about that right now, how we’re preparing here. You really have to think about it and plan it a bit, otherwise you’ll binge yourself through the winter on the sofa. What I like best are nice evenings with friends, cooking delicious food and dancing. I think it’s important to try not just to talk about politics, but instead about dreams and visions. Allow yourself to be silly sometimes. Inspire each other, show each other things and learn from each other. Plan a lot of theater evenings and reserve tickets, then you’ll have a few fixed dates over the winter. After all, Berlin has an exciting, exciting theater scene. Cinema with lots of popcorn is of course also great and helps in the short term. And then of course all the art openings. There are many options, you just have to pull yourself together every now and then, but of course you can also make yourself comfortable at home a lot.
And how (or in which places) do you get rid of it when it is there?
Drink cocktails at the bar in the Chateau Royal. Walking across Museum Island. Afterwards, the reward is apple strudel with whipped cream at Einstein unter den Linden. Dip fries in béarnaise sauce at the Paris Bar, be surprised and inspired by a theater or dance piece at the Volksbühne. And prepare for next summer. For me that means planning the next summer collection and the next summer vacation while also learning Italian with Duolingo. The next summer will surely come!
