Ronja Schulz - Hochschule Macromedia Berlin-Hamburg
Silent & Caramello – Hochschule Macromedia Berlin-Hamburg
PARTICIPATION IN THE BEST GRADUATES SHOW AND NOMINATED FOR THE NEO.FASHION. AWARD
Silent & Caramello explores the question of when a material begins to be perceived as valuable. In an era defined by speed, overproduction, and constant consumption, the collection intentionally shifts the focus back to the origin of fashion: the fibre itself, the craftsmanship behind its transformation, and the story every material carries within it.
At the heart of the collection is alpaca wool, a premium natural fibre renowned for its exceptional softness, thermoregulating properties, and durability. Rather than treating alpaca wool merely as a textile, Silent & Caramello approaches it as the starting point of a design-led research process. Instead of relying on industrially manufactured fabrics, the creative process begins at the source of the fibre. The raw wool was individually washed, carded, and partially felted before being transformed through time-intensive handcrafted techniques. Crochet, textile surface development, and traditional tailoring methods were combined to create new material expressions that preserve the authentic character of the fibre while translating it into a contemporary fashion context. The collection does not regard sustainability as a decorative label but as a fundamental design philosophy. Sustainability, in this project, means appreciating existing resources, consciously working with regional natural materials, and making the production process visible. Craftsmanship is not concealed but elevated to the very definition of luxury. Value is created not through exclusivity alone, but through time, care, material knowledge, and the deliberate rejection of standardized production methods.
Experimental material research forms the foundation of the collection. Throughout the development process, the behaviour of alpaca wool in different stages of transformation was explored, investigating the aesthetic qualities that emerge through felting, crochet, textile construction, and material densification. Rather than imposing form onto the material, the material itself guided the design process. Silhouettes evolved naturally from texture, volume, and tactility, resulting in a quiet and reduced visual language characterized by oversized proportions and organic transitions.
The title Silent & Caramello refers to the alpacas Silent and Caramello, whose wool was used as part of the collection, while simultaneously reflecting its overall atmosphere. Silent represents a restrained and understated form of luxury, one that is defined not by logos or spectacle, but by materiality, craftsmanship, and authenticity. Caramello evokes warmth, naturalness, and the soft earthy tones inherent to the fibre itself.
The five looks are conceived not as individual garments but as chapters of a shared narrative about origin, transformation, and value. They demonstrate that luxury does not necessarily lie in creating something entirely new, but in the ability to reinterpret what already exists and to assign it new meaning through design. More than a fashion collection, Silent & Caramello is a statement advocating for a more conscious relationship with materials, greater visibility of craftsmanship, and a redefinition of luxury, quiet, honest, and deeply rooted in material.
Soft fibres. Strong identity.
My name is Ronja Schulz, I am 28 years old and I am studying Fashion Design and Management at Macromedia in Hamburg. Fashion has been a means of creative expression for me ever since I was a child. Drawing fashion illustrations and developing my own ideas, in particular, shaped my passion for design from an early age.
After completing my A-levels, I undertook an apprenticeship as a visual marketing designer at Peek & Cloppenburg. There, I learnt how to style fashion and create brand worlds. At the same time, I realised that I didn’t just want to present existing collections, but to design them myself and develop my own creative concepts. This realisation led me to study fashion design. Over the course of my studies, my creative signature has become increasingly distinct. I am particularly fascinated by working with existing materials and their creative transformation. Upcycling, craft techniques such as crocheting and felting, and the experimental exploration of natural fibres have become an integral part of my design process. I am particularly interested in high-quality materials and their ability to acquire new value through careful craftsmanship. My work combines conceptual thinking with artisanal precision and aims to view sustainability not as a trend, but as a design philosophy. I want to create fashion
Credits:
Videografin:
Charly Krüger @ckrueger.png
Tay Kirchner @soerlancelot
Models:
Mika Wulf @mikawulf
Chiara Damare @chiaradamare
Malaika Cramer @c_.mala
Julia Janine Roddau @julia_janine.r
Tyron Tesfaye Grohs @tyrontesfaye
Stylistin: Amely Schaefer @makeupbyamely