Kathrin Emmer

Handgefertigte Maßanzüge

Tailor

An inherited talent for the handmade

Kathrin makes long-lasting garments for men
She values handcrafting and the exchanges with clients above all else
Her craft was practised by three generations before her

Kathrin Emmer's grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather were all tailors. And although she did not know them, she describes her talent for the craft as genetic, since she has been sewing since childhood. While still at school, Kathrin made her own clothes, and when it was time to choose a career, she decided to specialise in men's tailoring. She now makes durable suits, coats, and jackets from good quality fabrics for clients who appreciate the quality of handmade work, not looking for fast fashion. "I am more of a purist type of craftswoman. I like clear and simple shapes, as well as fabrics that hold their shape well," says Kathrin. With experience in tailoring since 2003, the garments she makes are a guarantee of handcrafted quality. The business magazine EURO named Kathrin one of the top 25 tailors in Germany.

Interview

How did you get into this craft?: Three generations of my family were tailors before me, apart from my father. I started sewing by accident, when I was maybe 12 years old. I made a pleated dress with lace for a porcelain doll, with my mother. Later, I wanted a pair of Marlene Dietrich trousers, so I had to sew them for myself.
Why did you decide to focus on menswear?: I went into menswear because I found the construction more interesting, more compact. Men's garments require more knowledge and contain more handmade elements: the collar, lapels, and trims. When a garment is handmade, it adapts better to the shape of the body, and I like that a lot.
What is your relationship with contemporary fashion trends?: I do not have much to do with contemporary fashion trends, except that the materials have changed, becoming thinner. Most of the time, people come to me as they are looking for handmade quality. People want to see hand-stitched buttonholes. Modernity is expressed in individuality.
What do you value most in your work?: For me, working by hand is the most important thing. If I do not do anything with my hands for a while, something is missing, like a musician who does not practise their instrument. The transformation of a flat cloth into a three dimensional garment is an aspect that continues to fascinate me.

Kathrin Emmer is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2003