WARDROBE CHRONICLES °01
A wardrobe reflection with Annette Winter
05/24 ZURICH
Annette Winter, Fashion Designer
Style curation by Noëmi Leonhardt
Could you share any morning routines or rituals that help you start the day on the right note?
My mornings always start with lemon water, followed by some gymnastics to wake up my body. Then, while in the shower, I enjoy my first coffee to kickstart the day. Breakfast isn’t usually part of my routine, but I do have ginger tea. Once I’m dressed, I’m out the door, ready to go.
How do you decide what to wear each day?
Incredibly natural. Whether I spend the day alone in the office or visiting clients, for instance, really depends on the day. Then, it also depends on my emotional state. I believe this explains why the majority of the clothes in my wardrobe are non-colours. You really have to be in the mood for colours, and I find that to be far too draining in the morning. Because of that, it also depends on how I wear it and how my hair looks. I dress differently when my hair is down than when it is up.
Do you know the feeling of not having chosen correctly your outfit?
No. Unless it's a piece of clothing that doesn't hold up, such as pants that wrinkle too much after I sit down or can't cross my legs for fear of the pants wrinkling too much. I want to be able to depend on my outfit. And if that doesn't work out, it annoys me.
How does creativity come into play in your dressing style?
I don’t consider my clothing to be a direct reflection of creativity. My style is more about clean lines and minimalist choices, which has evolved over time. I used to be more colourful and trend-focused, but I grew tired of how repetitive that felt. Now, I value pieces that last and feel timeless.
What influences your wardrobe selections?
For someone else it might be the latest colour, print or branding. For me, the quality is extremely important. The workmanship. And also extremely important: the cutting technique. I want it to look good and be me, not feel like I'm wearing a disguise. For example, there are the black CASA VAYU trousers in wool crepe. It is one of my favourite pieces. The material is quality, the production is fair, the cut is great and it fits my day. I can drive for three hours in them, get out and look good. It doesn't wrinkle and I don't have to think too much about styling because it goes with everything. I also know what it takes to make a good pair of trousers, so I appreciate a good pair of trousers that I can rely on.
What’s the most unusual fashion trend you’ve embraced?
Oh, definitely the 1980s! The bright colours, exaggerated silhouettes. I had broad shoulders like a prizefighter, and my hair was styled high, almost like a bird’s nest. It was a look! Women were experimenting with bold, short hairstyles, inspired by icons like Grace Jones. Yet, there was also this rigid trend of traditional jackets and blouses, very square. I often wore a braided ponytail that gave off a boarding school vibe.
Is there a particularly memorable outfit from that time?
My self-dyed Bundeswehr pants, paired with a wide studded belt and cropped sweatshirt. Terrible! I even wore a homemade chain made from washers I found in the basement. It was punky and a bit out there, and I’d complete the look with pointed high heels and green eyeshadow.
How do you define your personal style in one single word?
Straightforward.
Are there styles or outfits you’d love to try but haven’t?
I’d love to go even more glamorous. With high heels and luxurious pieces from designer brands.
Has anyone inspired your approach on fashion?
My father. He had a large wardrobe full of the most beautiful Budapest shoes, each with foldable wooden stretchers inside. The finest suits, with silk scarves around the neck. And my grandmother. Always dressed stylishly and wearing a hat. My mother is also always dressed stylishly. Clothing has always played an important role in the family. And at school, around the age of 13, I had a friend who was two years older than me and gave me her old clothes. For instance, the popular Marc O'Polo sweatshirt was included.
Can you recall someone whose fashion sensibilities you admire and would like to meet?
Then it would be Mrs. Prada. She has this remarkable ability to make each collection feel fresh and exciting year after year. Her pieces, like the checkered blouse or a classic dark blue ensemble, aren’t necessarily new but always manage to look stylish and inspiring through thoughtful combinations.
Are there any trends you miss?
I miss people making an effort. That they choose their things carefully and treat them with care. But that also has to do with how much things cost. If a T-shirt costs the same as a Gipfeli at Sprüngli, it's understandable that it gets thrown in the corner at home. There are also a lot of trends that I would rather not have. Leggings, for example. I get the feeling that people don't even look in the mirror and don't care how sausage-like they look. I think that's a shame. The trend doesn't matter at all. And I miss good shoes. There's a difference between buying shoes from a designer and buying them in a shoe shop. And unfortunately there are very few of those left. I miss that. Shoes have to have a certain weight to them, and that requires expertise. It's important to me how they sound when I walk and how they're made. A craft in itself.
