Oflab
"We have hit a nerve"
With Oflab, Frauke Ortner has created a collection that she herself was missing in fashion. The success of the collection, which is now entering its second season, shows that she is not alone in this.
Text: Nicoletta Schaper. Photo: Oflab
Frauke, you landed a surprise success with your label Oflab, which you founded a year ago. What is so special about the concept?
Frauke Ortner, founder of Oflab: "I wanted to combine technical performance materials with clear, feminine cuts. Many women, myself included, no longer want to choose between style and comfort. That's exactly where Oflab comes in. The response was also surprising for me: we sold the first styles exclusively through my Ortner store and some models sold out on the first day. I knew then that we had hit a nerve.
What makes Oflab so special?
We call it Tech Tailored Womenswear. Feminine cut pieces made from a performance material that is otherwise known from the sports sector: easy-care, skin-friendly, crease-resistant and odor-neutral. The fabric comes from Italy, is Ökotex-certified and is manufactured in Poland. Thanks to stretch, our items offer maximum freedom of movement, whether at work, eating or even hiking. I've tried it myself! Hence our slogan: design that keeps up. Our looks are also timeless in style and deliberately pared down to allow room for personality.
Keyword timeless: What does the topic of seasonality mean to you?
I want to think as non-seasonally as possible. Our collection is designed to function independently of the seasons. This not only makes it easier for retailers to plan their product ranges, but also meets the desire of many customers for well thought-out, timeless fashion. That's exactly how fashion should be for me. The best compliment I can get? Anyone who buys Oflab once will come back. Not because we are nice, but because they really feel comfortable in the pieces.
