Behind the Scenes · Reading time: 2 minutes
Making-of: How is the LANIUS collection created?
Twice a year – in the spring/summer and autumn/winter seasons – we present our new collection at trade fairs, which can be pre-ordered by our retailers.
In January we present the collection for next winter and in June the collection for next summer. The fashion industry is fast and needs a lot of lead time.
How exactly is a LANIUS collection created? What happens when, how, where and how do you know what trends will prevail next year?
Step 1: Research
The design team around Claudia Lanius begins researching the first topics a year and a half before the season begins: Which fabrics and which colors set the tone in certain seasons? An entire trade fair, the Munich Fabric Start, is dedicated to this topic and is visited by the design team. When they return, they have already decided on a number of new materials that will find their place in the collection.
Step 2: The analysis of trends is running
The renowned trend forecasting company WGSN uses its analyses to help labels classify current lifestyles, trends and movements within society. Keywords that are playing an increasingly important role include retreat, mindfulness and focusing on the essentials. Adjustments in the way we live are of course also noticeable in the way we dress.
Step 3: The mood boards are created
The information is collected on large boards and bundled into different collection themes. The color worlds are created, Pantone snippets, fabric and material samples are pinned up and the first drawn looks give an idea of what is being created. In addition, overarching names are found for the collection themes and for the collection in general.
Step 4: Design, design, design
The team designs, draws, sews, tries on and alters. In short: the LANIUS collection of around 100 pieces is created.
Step 5: Shooting Time
About 6 weeks before the trade fair is shooting time for the new collection, which will not be available for sale to end customers until a whole year later. The individual collection pieces have been ordered from our various production companies and the styles that are to be photographed in the image shoot are eagerly awaited in the LANIUS studio in Cologne - after all, the model, the photographer and the location have been booked long in advance.
Step 6: It is almost a week before the start of Fashion Week
The entire LANIUS collection is on rods in the LANIUS loft. The items are ironed and "hung" - that is, the individual items of clothing within the respective collection theme are hung on hangers in a fashionable sequence to create an overall picture. Our sales representatives are invited and receive a comprehensive introduction to the collection.
Step 7: Fashion Week Time
The trade fair begins, where LANUS retailers pre-order their goods. This is where interested buyers may even encounter the LANIUS label for the first time. The trade fairs are also well attended by bloggers and editors who want to find out about the latest innovations and fashion trends. After the trade fairs, we can then evaluate how many pieces of the collection we will produce.
