Blending couture, streetwear influences and seaside vibes, designer Samuel Gartner unveiled his new collection at a fashion show organized at the beachfront restaurant Les Cabines, during the full excitement of the Cannes Film Festival. Vibrant colors, transparency, fluid silhouettes and inclusive casting: the German designer champions a fashion that is free, instinctive and accessible to all profiles.
Originally from Frankfurt, Samuel Gartner has been developing for several years a universe blending couture and street style. An identity he describes himself as a mixture between classic elegance and assumed extravagance: “I like to mix classic things with something a bit mad. I always try to bring a twist to my creations,” he explains.
Well before his first shows, fashion already held an important place in the creator’s life. As a child, he chose his own clothes and was already interested in fashion design. It was at school that he learned the basics of sewing, a skill that would later become the starting point of his career.
During lockdown in 2020, he started creating pieces again and quickly imagined a first complete collection. “I organized a very spontaneous fashion show in Frankfurt and everything took off from there.” Without having studied at a fashion school, Samuel Gartner built his path in a self-taught manner. According to him, Germany does not have the same fashion culture as Paris or some other major European capitals. “I never studied fashion. I taught myself.” Today, he champions a totally instinctive approach to creation. “I simply do what I feel like doing. I don’t want to have a fixed style.”
Vallauris and the French Riviera as a source of inspiration
To present this new collection, the stylist chose the French Riviera and more specifically the beachfront restaurant Les Cabines. A place he considers perfectly suited to his summery and colorful universe. “I love France and the French Riviera. The colors, the light and the atmosphere are very inspiring for me.”
The choice of the beach as the setting for the show came naturally. Inspired by summer and the vacation world, the collection highlights light materials, fluid fabrics and strong colors like pink or red. “There’s a beach and vacation spirit, but always with a twist.”
Organized in just two months, the project was born almost spontaneously after contact with the establishment. “I found the place beautiful. I proposed a project to them and they accepted.” Among the most noted pieces of the show, the creator mentions in particular a spectacular final dress blending transparency, colors and feathers.
Inclusive and accessible fashion
Beyond clothing, Samuel Gartner wishes to champion an inclusive vision of fashion. For his casting, he favors varied profiles rather than stereotypical models. “I want everyone to be able to see themselves in my shows.”
The sizes offered range from XS to XXL in order to represent different body types. The designer also emphasizes that his collections are not designed as classic ready-to-wear. “These are mainly unique pieces intended for promotion and the showroom.”
While creation remains essential to his work, the stylist nonetheless believes that success in fashion also rests on another often underestimated element: marketing.
Inspired by Karl Lagerfeld, Samuel Gartner believes that knowing how to present and promote one’s universe is just as important as the clothes themselves. “Many people think that fashion is only about creativity. But in the end, the most important thing is how people recognize your universe.” According to him, many fashion schools still forget this essential aspect of the industry. “You can create beautiful clothes, but if you don’t know how to show them to the public, it becomes complicated.”
International projects to come
After several collaborations in Europe and the United States in recent months, the creator now wishes to further develop his work internationally.
Although he remains discreet about his future projects, he already announces his desire to continue this expansion beyond Germany. “Big things are coming, but for now everything remains secret.” With this show organized at Les Cabines, Samuel Gartner in any case confirms his desire to build a fashion that is free, spontaneous and focused on creative experimentation.
Don’t miss Samuel’s fashion show which will take place on May 21 at 8 p.m. at the beachfront restaurant Les Cabines in Vallauris. A unique opportunity to discover firsthand his universe blending couture, streetwear and seaside influences, in an exceptional setting facing the sea.
