The new collection, photographed against the open horizon of an airfield, speaks to exactly that: clarity, movement, and an elegance that does not need to raise its voice to be strong.
That we can now reconnect through the new store on Sylt is, for us at AVIAIR, more than just an editorial moment. It is an encounter we wish to preserve.
THE ENERGY OF SYLT
SABINE KÜHLWETTER MEIERS, EDITOR- IN‑CHIEF: When did you feel that Sylt was more than just a place for you – that it became a force stirring something within you?
DOROTHEE SCHUMACHER: Sylt has two faces for me. On one side, the Wadden Sea – calm, expansive, almost meditative. You feel the tides as the water comes and goes, you find shells, oysters, all that life in the sand – a stillness that grounds you. And on the other side, the open North Sea: raw, wild, powerful. You throw yourself into the waves, feel the wind, hear children laughing and dogs racing along the beach. This contrast is the island’s magic for me – at times it offers stillness, at other times it propels me forward with energy. Somewhere in between, I can always decide anew which part of myself I want to live in that moment.
What does the island’s energy do to you – does it bring you inward, or send you outward?
The beauty of Sylt is that it does both. I unwind when I’m in nature – with a cup of tea in a thatched-roof house, gazing out at the vast sea. And I gain energy when I’m out with friends in beautiful restaurants, debating, exercising, or after a long walk when suddenly that spark of inspiration hits. And yes, sometimes also when we host the odd party.
ARCHITECTURE & SPACE
The new store on the island was designed together with Colombian architecture studio Colett. What mattered most to you in creating this space – and what did you want to avoid?
It was important to me that the store immediately conveys a sense of coming home: cozy and welcoming, a place where you instantly want to linger. The design had to make that warmth tangible, while balancing modernity and tradition. Natural materials reflect the island, while clean lines and contemporary lightness add openness. For me, the space feels like a heartfelt embrace.
COLLECTION & INSPIRATION
Your current collection radiates a clear, almost tranquil strength. You’ve said before that books, films, characters, and places inspire you – sometimes even a single sentence, an image, a feeling. What was it this time? What led you to these earthy, powerful silhouettes and tones?
Of course, books, travel, and films inspire me – but even more, I’m shaped by the bigger picture: world events and encounters with people. Right now, I feel a deep longing for calm and comfort, which led me to these warm chocolate tones. The cuts are clear, the mix of materials gives depth – when a soft cashmere sweater meets leather pants, the contrast adds layers to the look.
Your new collection feels almost like a touch: calm, powerful, close. Where does the connection between clothing and inner attitude begin for you?
For me, it begins where clothing becomes more than an outfit. When it mirrors what is within us – visible on the outside, yet also palpable on the inside.
The exciting part is the blend of class and imagination. Contrasts are what make fashion interesting, aren’t they?
Strength can be quiet, elegance can be playful. That’s exactly what I wish for the women who wear my designs – that they draw inspiration from themselves and never see fashion as a dictate.
WOMEN & ATTITUDE
Your fashion often feels like a subtle mirror – it amplifies, it doesn’t impose. How do you see the women you design for? And what remains when they get dressed in the morning – and undress at night?
The women I design for are not blank canvases waiting to be painted. They bring their own story. They are strong, loving, and generous – women who know who they are and remain true to themselves, in the morning just as in the evening. My fashion is meant to be a quiet mirror, amplifying what is already there: attitude, energy, personality.
WHY SYLT?
When I think of Sylt, of polo – and of your love for Argentina – there seems to be a certain energy that touches you: expanse, strength, elegance. What is Sylt for you – and do you see a connection to Argentina, perhaps even beyond the visible?
I actually find comparisons difficult – they never do justice to either Argentina or Sylt. But both places evoke a similar feeling in me: freedom. On Sylt, it’s the nature, the tides, the sea that ground me and drive me forward at the same time. In Argentina, it’s the endless horizons, the lightness of the people, that almost dance-like approach to life. Both open up horizons for me and give me new perspectives – and that, for me, is the connection.
When I think about building AVIAIR, I often think of women like you – because it’s not just about brand, it’s about attitude. Was there a thought that carried you in building your brand – even through uncertain moments?
The thought that has always carried me is that fashion is a feeling. Luxury cannot be defined by a price, but by the feeling of being yourself. That is the most beautiful luxury one can give oneself.
Thank you, dear Dorothee, for sharing your new collection and this special place on Sylt. It’s a joy to follow this journey – and we look forward to staying connected.
