The typical Ehinger-Schwarz characteristics encompass the highest excellence in jewelry making, a clean elegance and the groundbreaking creation of CHARLOTTE. They are firmly established in the precept of Haute Joaillerie. What new vision will you infuse to enrich this success story? As you know, the company was up to now managed by a man, my father and through my presence more femininity is flowing into the designs. For all the clarity and precision a feminine touch will now enrich the designs. The idea to this new direction was a long time coming, I have opened a new door, which reveals a hint of extravagance, sensuality and the feminine longing for jewelry. Caroline Schwarz does not accept cliches. She is unpretentious, completely natural, marvelously direct and since February 2013, the successor of her father Wolf-Peter Schwarz. What inspires the young designer and what new ideas she will infuse into the family business, she reveals here. Caroline, you are at the top of one of the most important German jewelry company since February 2013. Do you think it was well over due for you to take full responsibility and ownership - or do you feel only now up to the challenge? Umm! (She laughs). Of course, I had great respect for this task. It is not just exciting to lead a five generation family business but rather it is a job with a tremendous amount of responsibility. I believe that things happen in life at exactly the right time. This transition presented itself at a time in which I feel the necessary amount of maturity and humility. Your family handed down the traditions and principles of impeccable workmanship from generation to generation. How do you feel personally about jewelry? I love jewelry! Even as a young girl, I was completely fascinated by the sparkling gems and pearls in the studio. It is a great fortune as a child to have been born into a world of dreams and beauty. However you learn very quickly that there is a lot of effort and hard work behind it. I also believe that jewelry does not only beautify, but it also empowers you. Maybe I ‚m a little superstitious. For example, when I lose a ring, I realize that much more is missing than the golden ribbon around my finger, I feel the loss of energy. You are a trained actress and love to represent. May we assume that you are your best muse? It would be wrong not to use my love for the stage. And yes, I use it gladly. It‘s always wonderful when friends or even strangers admire my jewelry creations and ask me to reserve it for them. But please, a clear no, I ‚m not my best muse. Definitely not! These are much more likely all the fantastic women that I encounter daily. Women who have empowered themselves and have overcome many obstacles and learned to enjoy all the different facets of their lives. <strong>Charlotte</strong> Rampling, I believe, is such a woman. Your safest strategy? Consciousness! You could also say: BE aware. For the company, this means: The transfer of knowledge from employee to employee, from my assistant to me, from me to each sales person. This is the only way we can continue the consistent high level of quality. The design language of Ehinger-Schwarz is now spoken in many countries worldwide. It is global and is totally unique. This balancing act can only be mastered if you are aware of all the steps. How do you manage to balance work and private life? (She laughs). What a question - not at all! And women who have mastered this task facinate me! Do you have a recurring source of inspiration in your life? Yes, they are remembrances and pictures from my childhood. Scents, memories, feelings. As a little girl I was completely fascinated by the sensuous grandeur of my mother and my grandmother. I get a lot of inspiration from this treasure chest. I am also obsessed by a beautiful game: Getting lost in foreign cities! Venice offers quite an experience to venture behind facades that you would have never discovered otherwise. But first and foremost I am inspired by other people. How do they dress? How do they move? What is their story? The whole life, the whole world is a work of art and is full of inspiration. Is that not fascinating? Nein, ich bin nicht meine beste Muse. Um Gottes Willen! Das sind viel eher all die phantastischen Frauen, die mir täglich begegnen. Frauen, die sich befreit haben und sich mit all ihren Facetten durch ihr Leben bewegen, nicht stehenbleiben und trotz mancher Grenzerfahrung auf dem Boden bleiben. <strong>Charlotte</strong> Rampling ist, glaube ich, eine solche Frau. Ihre sicherste Strategie? Bewußtsein! Man könnte auch sagen: bewußt SEIN. Für das Unternehmen bedeutet das: Der Wissenstransfer von Mitarbeiter zu Mitarbeiter, von meiner Assistentin zu mir, von mir zu jeder einzelnen Verkäuferin funktioniert. Nur so können wir das hohe qualitative Level konsequent fortführen. Die Formensprache von Ehinger-Schwarz wird inzwischen in vielen Ländern weltweit gesprochen. Sie ist global und dabei vollkommen einzigartig. Diesen Spagat können Sie nur meistern, wenn sie sich über sämtliche Schritte bewusst sind. Wie gelingt es Ihnen, Beruf und Privatleben auszubalancieren? (Sie lacht). Was für eine Frage - gar nicht! Und Frauen, die das komplett beherrschen, begeistern mich! Gibt es in Ihrem Leben eine immer wieder kehrende Inspirationsquelle? Ja, das sind Sequenzen und Bilder aus meiner Kindheit. Düfte, Stimmungen, Atmosphären. Als kleines Mädchen war ich vollkommen fasziniert von der sinnlichen Grandezza meiner Mutter und meiner Großmutter. Aus dieser Schatzkiste hole ich ganz viel Inspiration. Außerdem bin ich geradezu besessen von einem herrlichen Spiel: Das Verirren in fremden Städten! Venedig eignet sich ganz hervorragend dafür, einen Blick hinter Fassaden zu wagen, die man sonst nie entdeckt hätte. Aber in erster Linie inspirieren mich andere Menschen. Was ziehen sie an? Wie bewegen sie sich? Was ist ihre Story? Das ganze Leben, die ganze Welt ist ein Kunstwerk und steckt voller Inspiration. Ist das nicht schön? 45
personal FAVOURITES 6 Was Caroline Schwarz diesen Herbst und Winter liebt und trägt. 7 5 4 47 3 1 2 1. Marcel Ostertag Herbst/Winter Kollektion 2013/14 2. Dream in Pink Ring, Seite 16 3. Beautiful Moonstone Armspange, Seite 29 4. Dream in Pink Ohrringe, Seite 17 5. Magic Glimmer Ring, Seite 33 6. Charles Eames La Chaise, www.vitra.com 7. Chester-field Classic Kette, Ohrschmuck, Seite 21 8. »Rose Noir«, Byredo Parfums über www.bellerebelle.de 9. SOHO House Berlin, www.sohohouseberlin.de 8 9
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