Cosima Gadient

Cosima Gadient is a Swiss-born designer and the co-founder of Ottolinger, a Berlin-based label that has gained international acclaim for its disruptive and experimental approach to fashion. Alongside her creative partner Christa Bösch, whom she met at the Basel School of Design, Gadient has established a brand that challenges the traditional boundaries of the luxury market. Her work is defined by its raw energy and its commitment to an avant-garde aesthetic that values process and experimentation.

As a significant voice in the independent fashion scene, she has helped define a new visual language for the Berlin creative community. Her ability to merge high-fashion concepts with a DIY spirit has earned her label a dedicated following among those who seek a more authentic and confrontational alternative to mainstream design. Gadient continues to push the limits of garment construction through her focus on texture and form.

Prioritising labour-intensive textures and a raw, industrial aesthetic allows for a consistent challenge to the status quo of the luxury industry. The work is characterised by the use of unconventional silhouettes that question traditional ideas of what is flattering or finished. Design signals include the application of destructive techniques—such as tearing, melting, and twisting—to create garments that feel both ancient and futuristic. This approach values the evidence of the creative process, where the 'imperfections' of the hand-crafted form are celebrated as primary decorative elements.

Structural signals appear in the complex, layered compositions and the use of irregular panelling to distort the natural lines of the body. The work rejects the polished uniformity of mass production in favour of a more visceral and idiosyncratic visual language. By focusing on the tension between the material and the method, the designs foster an aesthetic of 'punk' sophistication. This dedication to experimental construction ensures that each piece functions as a unique exploration of form, texture, and the transformative power of the designer's touch.