AN ICON'S JOURNEY: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF WOLFGANG JOOP
A PASSIONATE POTSDAM NATIVE AND COSMOPOLITAN
Born in 1944 in Potsdam and raised in Bornstedt, Wolfgang Joop spent many years of his life in international metropolises. From a young age, he demonstrated an extraordinary artistic talent. Inspired by the Old Masters in the Gemäldegalerie of Sanssouci Palace, Joop began copying their works at the age of 16. This early engagement with art laid the foundation for his later successes as a designer.
After a vibrant career that saw him become the founder and creative force behind several internationally renowned labels such as "Joop!" and "Wunderkind," Joop has been living in Potsdam again since 2018. He describes his return as a gift, and his Villa Rumpf by the Holy Lake as the center of his creative endeavors. Besides his work as a designer, Joop has also made a name for himself as an author and painter, publishing five books in total, including a cookbook.
"BLINDED" AT THE POTSDAM MUSEUM
The idea for this exhibition came from Hendrikje Warmt, the curator of the Potsdam Museum, who skillfully brought together Joop's multifaceted work into one comprehensive show. The exhibition, spread over two floors and covering 750 square meters, will connect fashion, art, and personal experiences of the designer.
The ground floor will be styled as a fashion workshop, while the upper floor will showcase Joop's artworks, including drawings, paintings, graphics, and sculptures. A particular highlight of the exhibition will be videos of Joop's famous fashion shows, illustrating his clothing in motion and underscoring the importance of the body in his work. Ultimately, the entire Potsdam Museum will be "filled with Joop," a grand display of his life and work. The curatorial design will be tied together by Joop's drawings as a red thread.
FASHION IS NOT JUST A TEXTILE,
says Joop, and this exhibition aims to convey that very idea. Clothing is a significant part of his life's work, but not all of it.
The retrospective will also offer insights into his private life and highlight the artistic and biographical contradictions that define Joop as both a person and an artist.
WUNDERKIND X HESSNATUR: FUSION OF LUXURY AND SUSTAINABILITY
While the Potsdam Museum prepares for the opening of this significant retrospective, Wolfgang Joop continues to showcase his unbroken creativity and innovative spirit in the present. One project that reflects his vision and style is the collaboration of his brand Wunderkind with hessnatur, a pioneer in sustainable fashion.
At a time when sustainability plays an increasingly crucial role in the fashion industry, Wolfgang Joop and hessnatur have jointly developed a capsule collection called "Wunderkind x hessnatur." This collection, introduced in May 2023, features 18 meticulously designed garments that merge Joop's distinctive style with sustainable production.
The collection includes finely ribbed shirts in delicate peach and pastel tones, straight-cut jeans, long-sleeves, and intricate apron and shirtdresses with floral patterns. These prints come from Joop's rich archive and are inspired by historical textiles and fashion icons. Known for his straightforward manner, Joop quips with a wink, " Better to replicate well than to create poorly."
A DIFFERENT KIND OF LUXURY
Joop views this collaboration as a "reeducation" in terms of luxury. In the past, he says, there was a vast selection of fabrics, whereas today he must work with fewer resources. This limitation is challenging but also represents a new form of luxury. The reduction to the essentials and the challenge of finding creative solutions under new conditions have given him a renewed joy in fashion.
Andrea Homann, co-head at hessnatur, emphasizes the uncompromising approach that both partners have brought to this collection. It's about combining high fashion with sustainability and creating clothing that can be worn with a clear conscience. The company has been a pioneer in sustainable fashion for over 45 years, bringing its long-standing experience and reliable supply chains to the partnership.
ON ONE HAND, CADET OBEDIENCE, RIGIDITY, BOURGEOISIE, BUT ALSO A CERTAIN SOPHISTICATION. MY GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS SAID: BERLIN IS 30 KILOMETERS AWAY.
Wolfgang Joop eloquently sums up his personality.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Even at 80, Wolfgang Joop remains a visionary who constantly finds new ways to express his creativity, focusing on current issues like sustainability and authenticity. The collaboration with hessnatur is further proof of his ability to blend tradition and modernity while staying ahead of the times.
The retrospective at the Potsdam Museum will not only provide a glimpse into Joop's impressive career but also demonstrate how his work and visions continue to influence the fashion world. With projects like "Wunderkind x hessnatur," the designer shows that fashion can be both beautiful and responsible.
We at AVIAIR eagerly anticipate the exhibition starting in November and look forward to a concentrated dose of Wolfgang Joop and unique insights into the life and work of one of Germany's most significant designers.
BETTER TO REPLICATE WELL THAN TO CREATE POORLY.
Wolfgang Joop
